Epidemiology of dermatomycoses and onychomycoses in Ireland (2001–2020): A single‐institution review

• Published in: Mycoses 2022-07, Vol.65 (7), p.770-779
• Main Authors: Powell, James, Porter, Emma, Field, Sinead, O'Connell, Nuala H., Carty, Kieran, Dunne, Colum P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; dermatomycoses; dermatomycosis; Epidemiology; Fungal infections; Hair; Ireland; Laboratories; onychomycosis; Original; Patients; Skin; tinea; Tinea capitis
• ISSN: 0933-7407; 1439-0507
• DOI: 10.1111/myc.13473

Background Fungal skin infections are recognised as one of the most common health disorders globally, and dermatophyte infections of the skin, hair and nails are the most common fungal infections. Dermatophytes can be classified as anthropophilic, zoophilic or geophilic species based on their primary habitat association, and this classification makes epidemiological analysis useful for the prevention and control of these infections. The Irish contribution to the epidemiology of these infections has been scant, with just two papers (both reporting paediatric tinea capitis only) published in the last 20 years, and none in the last seven. Objectives To perform a comprehensive retrospective epidemiological analysis of all dermatological mycology tests performed in University Hospital Limerick over a 20‐year period. Methods All mycology laboratory test results were extracted from the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS, iLab, DXC Technologies) from 2001 to 2020 inclusive for analysis. Specimen types were categorised according to the site of sampling. The data were analysed using Microsoft Excel. Results About 12,951 specimens of skin, hair and nails were studied. Median patient age was 42 years (IQR 26–57) with a slight female preponderance (57.2%). Two thirds of samples (67%, n = 8633) were nail, 32% were skin scrapings (n = 4118) and 200 hair samples (1.5%) were received. Zoophilic dermatophytes were more commonly present in females (38% F, 23% M, proportion of dermatophytes) and in those under 10 years of age or from 45 to 70 years (36% and 34% zoophiles, respectively, proportion of dermatophytes), although anthropophiles predominated every age and gender category. Anthropophiles had their highest prevalence in the 10–20 years age category (80% anthropophiles, proportion of dermatophytes), and yeast infections were more prevalent in older patients (29% of >60 year olds vs. 17% of