Authors: Yassine Merad, Zoubir Belmokhtar, Abdelkrim Messafeur, Belkacemi Malika, Fethi Moulessehoul, Khaled Abdelouahed, Samir Bakhouche, Samia Merad, Adjmi-Hamoudi Haiet.
Mycoses remain a significant cause of morbidity, as the number of immunosuppressed individual’s increases worldwide; breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy might develop superficial mycosis. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 28 breast cancer patients, with fungal superficial mycosis suspicion, the samples collected from each patient were nail scraping or ear swabs, all were examined under microscope and inoculated into Sabouraud’s tube media.
Fungal identification was based on physical features of the colonies and biochemical tests (Auxacolor©). Out of the 28 breast cancers patients, 8 women had aural skin mycosis and skin appendage mycosis, so prevalence rate of superficial mycosis was 28,6%. 87,5% of positive patient are employed and 12,5% are housewives. A correlation was found between superficial mycosis and the patients aged above 50 years old (p=0,03). 87,5% of positive cases had otomycosis and 25% onychomycosis.
Fungal isolates were Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida zeylanoides, Trichosporon sp, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus flavus. Superficial mycoses are typically opportunists; the incidence of mycosis among these patients is expected to rise, significant challenge remain with regard to the prevention.
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