A Comparative Study of Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and Dermatophyte Test Medium for the Diagnosis of Dermatophytosis

Arokiamary; Jaison  Jayakaran; Priya  Santharam; Joseph  Jenson; Vignesh  Kanna Balajis

Arokiamary MD, Postgraduate, Department of Microbiology, Sri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Deemed to be University, SBV Chennai Campus, India
Jaison Jayakaran Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Sri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Deemed to be University, SBV Chennai Campus, India
Priya Santharam Professor, Department of Microbiology, Tagore Medical College and Hospital, The Tamil Nadu, Dr M G R Medical University, Chennai, India
Joseph Jenson Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Sri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Deemed to be University, SBV Chennai Campus, India
Vignesh Kanna Balajis Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Takshashila Medical College and Hospital, Takshashila University, Tindivanam, Tamil Nadu, India

Keywords: Dermatophytosis, Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, Dermatophyte Test Medium, KOH Microscopy, Trichophyton, Fungal Culture, Superficial Fungal Infection, Diagnostic Microbiology

Abstract

Background: Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, is a reemerging cause of acute febrile illness across the Indian subcontinent. Transmission peaks during monsoon and post-monsoon seasons due
to increased chigger mite activity in humid environments, with rodents serving as natural reservoirs. Nonspecific clinical manifestations and limited diagnostic markers contribute to frequent diagnostic delays.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Medicine of a tertiary care hospital over three months. Patients with laboratory-confirmed scrub typhus
were included. Demographic characteristics, clinical features, treatment practices, and outcomes were analyzed descriptively. Continuous variables were summarized as mean ± standard deviation (SD), and
categorical variables as frequencies and percentages.
Results: Thirty patients were included. Females constituted 60% of cases, and males 40%. The mean age was 48.6 ± 18 years, indicatingpredominant involvement of middle-aged adults. Scrub typhus
presents as an acute, undifferentiated febrile illness with variable clinical manifestations. Combination antimicrobial therapy was used in severe cases.
Conclusion: Scrub typhus remains an important cause of acute febrile illness in endemic regions. Early recognition based on clinical features, supportive laboratory findings, and epidemiological context—rather
than reliance on eschar alone—is critical. The patients who received prompt antimicrobial therapy did well, reinforcing that early treatment prevents progression to severe disease. Maintaining a high index of
suspicion, particularly during the monsoon and post-monsoon months, remains key to reducing morbidity and mortality from scrub typhus in endemic settings like this one.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202652

How to cite this article:
Arokiamary, Jayakaran J, Santharam P, Jenson J, Balajis V K. A Comparative Study of Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and Dermatophyte Test Medium for the Diagnosis of Dermatophytosis. J Commun Dis. 2026;58(3):27-32.

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