India is a large sub continent with remarkably varied topography, situated within the tropical and subtropical belts of the world. Its climate is conducive to the acquisition and maintenance of fungal infections. They are assuming greater significance both in developed and developing countries particularly due to advent of immunosuppressive drugs (steroids) and due to the increased prevalence of diseases like HIV. A total of one hundred and fifty clinically diagnosed randomly selected cases of skin, hair and nail infection, of all age groups and of both sexes, attending Dermatology out patient department were taken for the study. Out of 150 clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis, fungi were demonstrated in 140 cases (93.33%) either by direct microscopy and/or culture. Eighty-five cases (58.67%) were positive by both microscopy and culture. Thirty-eight (25.33%) were positive by microscopy and negative by culture. Fourteen cases (9.34%) were negative by microscopy but culture positive. Ten cases (6.67%) were negative both by microscopy and culture.

Keywords: Dermatophytosis; Fungal Infections; KOH