The correlations of tinea corporis or tinea cruris with symptomatic and asymptomatic tinea pedis and onychomycosis

Abstract

Background: Dermatophytosis is a superficial dermatophyte infection . Studies have demonstrated correlations between tinea corporis or tinea cruris and concomitant fungal infections on other sites, but there are few reports about correlations with asymptomatic tinea infection.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of tinea corporis or tinea cruris in correlations with symptomatic or asymptomatic tinea pedis and/or onychomycosis.

Materials and methods: 150 patients from the Institute of Dermatology with fungal infections on the trunk or groins who were clinically diagnosed and mycologically confirmed. Symptomatic and asymptomatic tinea pedis, and onychomycosis were confirmed by KOH preparation and nail clipping.

Results: One hundred and fifty patients were enrolled in the study. There were 81 patients (54%) who had tinea corporis, 27 (18%) patients with tinea cruris, while 42 patients (28%) had both tinea corporis and tinea cruris. Among these  subjects, there were  20 cases of  symptomatic tinea  pedis, 14 asymptomatic  tinea pedis, 11 symptomatic onychomycosis and 7 cases with normal target toenail but showed positive culture for fungus. Concomitant tinea corporis and tinea cruris were found in 28% of the study group (p<0.001). Concomitant tinea pedis and onychomycosis were identified in 3.33% (p = 0.008). Asymptomatic tinea pedis were also identified in 4.7 % of patients with tinea corporis and tinea cruris (p = 0.003). The presence of asymptomatic nail infection was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: It is advisable, therefore, to examine the feet and toenails of all proven cases of tinea on the body and groins for possible concomitant foot infection. However, whether it is necessary to treat all asymptomatic cases need to be further debated.