الفهرس 
Introduction & Aim of work
Antifungal agents and antifungalOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 112 |  |  |
| | | from | 112 | | |
Abstract
Over the past two decades , there has been a remarkable increase in the incidence of fungal infections . The morbidity and mortality associated with these infections are substantial and the fungal diseases have emerged as important public health problems. This study was conducted on 217 patients suspected clinically to have different types of fungal infections. The direct examination of 154 specimens (skin scales , hair , nail and subcutaneous nodules) from cases with superficial , cutaneous and subcutaneous infections using 20% KOH was positive in 44 cases (28.6%) . The isolated fungi causing superficial and cutaneous infections were Malassezia furfur, dermatophytes and Candida species. Isolated fungi causing subcutaneous infections were actinomyces. Candida and Aspergillus. The diagnostic methods used for systemic cases included culture, ELISA and PCR . Positive results were obtained in 10 (15.8%) cases by culture for Candida and 9 (14.2%) cases for Aspergillus , 20 (31.7%) cases by ELISA for Candida and 27 (42.8%) cases for Aspergillus , while PCR positive cases were 12 (19%) for Candida and 10 (15.8%) for Aspergillus . Antifungal sensitivity tests were done for selected isolates of dermatophytes , Candida and Aspergillus by different methods included E-test , broth microdilution method and Candifast . Both E-test and broth microdilution methods were used for isolates of dermatophytes , Candida and Aspergillus , while Candifast was used for Candida isolates only . By comparing E-test method versus broth microdilution method of antifungal susceptibility testing for dermatophytes . It was found that , the number of sensitive cases obtained by broth microdilution method were higher than those obtained by E- test for all tested drugs. The difference was significantly higher in broth microdilution method than E-test for itraconazole.