The clinical presentations, etiology and factors associated with foot mycoses among patients attending dermatology clinic at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda

Abstract

Background: Foot mycosis is one of the most common fungal infections of the skin worldwide. The magnitude of the problem in terms of clinical presentations, etiology and associated factors remain as poorly established in low-income countries especially in Uganda.
Objective: To study the clinical presentations, etiology and factors associated with foot mycoses among patients attending Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda (MRRH). Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study that recruited 110 patients attending the skin clinic at MRRH between November 2018 and May 2019. The subjects were examined physically, and skin scrapings of suspected lesions were collected for laboratory processing.
Results: Out of 110 suspects for foot mycoses 101 (91.8%) were diagnosed with a fungal. Fungal culture confirmed foot mycosis in 67 (60.9%) of the cases. Of the 67 fungal culture growth, dermatophytes were 39.5%, followed by yeasts with 32.6% and non-dermatophyte molds (NDMs) with 27.9%. The commonest associated factors were age and wearing occlusive shoes.
Conclusion: The study reveals that foot mycosis is a common clinical entity at our dermatology clinic and interdigital was the most common clinical presentation, highlighting dermatophytes as the commonest etiological agents. Age and shoe design remain the most significant associated factors of the infection.