Incidence of Mycotic Infections in Diabetic Patients Attending Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study was carried out to investigate the incidence of mycotic infections in diabetic patient. A total number of twenty-five (25) diabetic patients with malignant diabetic infections were examined. Among the 25 patients sampled, (sixteen) or 64% patients were found positive for one fungus or the other. Germ tube tests, test for potassium hydroxide and urease test were carried for isolation of fungi. A total number of four fungal species were isolated. These include; Candida albican, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis and Trichosporon mentagrophyte. C. albicans had the highest percentage frequency of occurrence of 32% followed by Candida tropicalis with 16% and Candida parapsilosis had 12%, while Trichosporon mentagrophyte had the least percentage of occurrence of 4%. The result of patients with diabetic foot ulcers in relation to different age groups revealed age group sixty years and above to have the highest percentage frequency of 44%, the age group less than 40 had the least percentage prevalence of 8%. Based on the results obtained in this research it was observed that age group sixty years and above had the highest percentage frequency of infection. This could be attributed to the low of weak immune system of the patients under this group. Based on the findings of the research it is recommended that more research on evaluation and treatment of chronic pathogenic biofilms are encouraged.