Molecular identification of dermatophytes in tinea pedis among Iraqi farmers

Abstract

Background: Tinea pedis, also known as athlete’s foot, is a common fungal infection that poses public health concerns, especially in rural and low socio-economic areas. The present study has been conducted to assess the prevalence and clinical presentation of tinea pedis among Iraqi farmers. Methods: Analysis of a cohort comprising 50 cases with emphasis on the clinical features and phenotypes associated with tinea pedis was carried out. Symptoms such as interdigital scaling, maceration, vesicular lesions, and hyperkeratosis were present in the study group. The molecular identification techniques, including the use of conventional diagnostic methods and their results to test dermatophyte-specific DNA with high precision, were used. Results: Analysis showed that interdigital scaling and maceration were the most common clinical features, observed in 66% of participants, followed by vesicular lesions in 22%, which were associated with severe pain and irritation. Hyperkeratosis, leading to skin thickening and splitting, was seen in 8%, while mixed clinical features appeared at sites where dermatophytes were cultured (4%), indicating varied presentations of tinea pedis. The PCR analysis of the ITS region identified T. mentagrophytes (550 bp) as the most prevalent species at 42.55%, followed by T. rubrum (690 bp) at 29.78%, with other species present in lower percentages, reflecting the common distribution of these species in the local environment and their association with human and animal hosts. Conclusion: This study highlights the need to know the clinical features of tinea pedis without farmers, which impacts successful diagnosis and management. This knowledge would help mitigate a public health concern for dermatophytosis within rural areas in Iraq.