Incidência de micoses superficiais em idosos na cidade de João Pessoa-PB

Abstract

The superficial mycoses are infections caused by yeast or filamentous fungi, which have their expression limited to the skin and its attachments, such as hair and nails and beyond the mucous membranes. They are classified in: pityriasis versicolor, tinea nigra, dermatophytosis, piedras (white and black) and candida. With the increasing number of older people in the present day, due to a higher life expectancy of the population, it is extremely important to study comorbidities that may accompany the group, as for example fungal infections, since they form a risky group with people affected by other underlying diseases that weaken your immune system, facilitating the development of the fungal infections. Thus, the objective of this study is to verify the incidence of superficial mycoses in the older people living in nursing homes of João Pessoa-PB, aiming to discover an epidemiological profile of the main types and their respective agents and etiological factors. For this, 32 samples of 22 patients with 67 to 92 years were collected and processed for visualization at direct microscopic examination and culture, for subsequent identification. The main underlying diseases that affect the researched group were mental illness, dyslipidemia, diabetes and hypertension. Thus, 26.47% of positive results were obtained for superficial mycosis, with a higher incidence for onychomycosis caused by Candida spp. As superficial mycoses affect the quality of life of the older people, it reveals the importance of the study of these comorbidities, so strategies can be settled to prophylactic action of the disease, diagnosis and therapy.