Prevalence, Pattern and Clinical Variations of Dermatophytosis in Patients with HIV Infection at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt

Abstract

Background: Immunosuppression due to various etiologies has been associated with the occurrence of dermatophytosis. Several studies in the past have demonstrated that Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is a risk factor for the acquisition and severity of dermatophytosis. This study examined the prevalence and clinical variations of dermatophytosis amongst HIV positive patients seen in Port-Harcourt, Southern Nigeria. Methods: Between July 2019 and 2020 173 seropositive cases and 173 seronegative controls were recruited for this study. They were interviewed with a structured questionnaire and thereafter screened for the presence of dermatophytosis and sent for mycology studies. Results: There was a higher prevalence of dermatophytosis in the HIV seropositive group when compared to the control group. Most of the lesions seen were not markedly different from that seen in immunocompetent persons. 41.65% of the cases were found among those with CD4 cell counts below 200. Tinea corporis was the commonest lesion seen (50%).  Trichophyton species was the commonest dermatophyte isolated, followed by Microsporum spp. Conclusion: Prevalence of dermatophytosis is significantly higher in HIV infected patients and commonly occurs in advanced stages of the disease. Tinea corporis is the most common lesion in this group of patients and Trichophyton spp. a common causative agent.