Introduction: A three-month (April-June 2001) cross-sectional study was designed to assess the epidemiological profile of dermatophytosis in Spain.
Methods: Sixty-two medical centers belonging to 14 different autonomous regions of Spain took part in the survey. A total of 491 strains were sent the Mycology Unit of the National Microbiology Center together with a form containing information on each patient. Isolates were identified by routine methods.
Results: The average age of the patients was 38.7 years and 55.6% were men. The most frequent dermatophytoses were tinea unguium (39.1%), tinea corporis (25.1%), tinea pedis (12.6%), and tinea capitis (11.2%). Trichophyton rubrum (43%) was the most prevalent species. T. mentagrophytes (21.2%) and Microsporum canis (9.8%) were the second and third most common species, respectively. Tinea unguium was significantly associated with urban residence, and tinea corporis with rural residence and contact with animals. T. rubrum was related with urban dermatophytosis and T. mentagrophytes with rural cases. Tinea capitis due to T. tonsurans and T. violaceum was related with patients of North African origin. Tinea unguium was the most prevalent infection by autonomous region, except in Castilla-León, Asturias, Andalucía and Aragón, where tinea corporis was the most common dermatophytosis. Tinea capitis was the most frequent infection in Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura. T. mentagrophytes was more prevalent than T. rubrum in Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha, Aragón and Murcia.
Conclusion: This cross-sectional study shows regional differences in the clinical and microbiological features of dermatophytosis in Spain. Epidemiological surveys are an essential tool for developing strategies for infection control.