Dermatophyte Species Spectrum and Its Association with Clinical Forms of Dermatophytosis in Astana, Kazakhstan

Dermatophytosis is a common superficial fungal infection, yet region-specific data from Central Asia remain limited. Integrated clinical, culture-based, and molecular data are scarce. A cross-sectional study included 343 patients with suspected dermatophytosis in Astana, Kazakhstan. Clinical and epidemiological data were collected using a standardized protocol. Laboratory diagnosis included direct microscopy, culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar, and ITS-targeted PCR. Statistical analysis used chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and Kruskal–Wallis tests, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Direct microscopy detected fungal elements in 70.6% of patients, whereas culture was positive in 43.7%. Molecular analysis of 150 isolates identified five species, with Microsporum canis as the predominant pathogen. Zoophilic dermatophytes accounted for 67.3% of cases and were mainly associated with tinea capitis and tinea corporis, whereas anthropophilic species predominated in tinea cruris (92%). Species were significantly associated with clinical form (p < 0.0001) and patient age (p < 0.001). Seasonal variation was also identified (p = 0.01). Trichophyton indotineae was identified in seven patients. This study provides new insights into the epidemiology of dermatophytosis in Kazakhstan, demonstrating the predominance of zoophilic species and their association with specific clinical forms. The detection of T. indotineae highlights the need for molecular surveillance for potential antifungal resistance.