Erythrasma in Diabetic Patients

Introduction and objectives: Erythrasma is a chronic superficial infection of Corynebacterium minutissimum which occurs as normal skin flora in the general population. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common endocrine metabolic disorder. High levels of salivary glucose, low secretion of saliva, impaired chemotaxis, and defect of phagocytosis are reasons for making diabetic patients more susceptible to cutaneous infections. Our aim is to study the prevalence of erythrasma in diabetic patients which admitted to educational hospitals. Materials & Methods: The study group consisted of 100 adults diabetic (non-insulin dependent) randomly with signs and symptoms of superficial infection in patients admitted to educational hospitals, Tehran, Iran.The control group consisted of 100 non-diabetic, non-immunocompromised patients. All patients had a thorough skin examination like wood’s light, skin scrapings for potassium hydroxide (KOH) for microscopic examination and cultures of fungi. Demographic and clinical data were collected including age, sex, duration of diabetes mellitus, fasting blood sugar and percent of HbAIc, areas of involvement, clinical manifestation and body mass index (BMI). Results: 100 adult diabetic and 100 non-diabetic patients were chosen. The overall prevalence of erythrasma was higher in diabetic than non-diabetic patients. The mean age of the patients was 53 ±12.6 years. 68% of diabetic patients were presented erythrasma (16% male, 52% female), especially among obese diabetics (BMI≥30). In nondiabetic patients, prevalence was 12% (2%male, 10 % female). The toes, below of breast and crural folds were the most commonly affected sites. Mean of duration of diabetes was 10 ± 3.4 (years). Mean of fasting blood sugar and HbAIc were 212 ± 63 (mg/dI), 10 ± 2(%), respectively. Conclusion: In diabetics, erythrasma was the most commen infection. It appears that diabetic require more diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive care in terms of mycotic infection than has been previously thought.

کلیدواژه ها:

Erythrasma ، Mycotic infection ، Diabetes mellitus