Survey on Dermatophytosis in Wrestlers and Its Relationship with Wrestling Mats in Hamedan

Background : This study examined the prevalence of Tinea gladiatorum as a superficial dermatophytosis in wrestlers of Hamedan and reviews this infection in the wrestling mats in terms of dermatophytic factors.
Materials and Methods : This study was conducted (Oct. 2009 to the end of Sep. 2010) on 1,800 people in 10 wrestling halls. Samples of skin were collected from suspected wrestlers and evaluated via potassium hydroxide. Sterile carpet method (5×5) was also used for sampling from mats surfaces. Common mediums and methods in mycology were used to culture samples and detect grown fungi.
Results : 44 individuals (2.4%) of the wrestlers were diagnosed with ringworm. A mat (10%) was infected with dermatophytes. Dermatophytic factor isolated from wrestlers and wrestling mats was Trichophyton tonsurans in all cases. Highest rate of infection in terms of weight was weight group above 90 kg, with infection rate of 5.4% and in terms of age, it was age group of 16-21 with infection rate of 2.6%. Most lesions were observed in the upper body areas in neck 21.3% and the least lesions were seen in the leg 8.2%. In this study, proportion z-test) showed a significant difference between the infected and non-infected wrestlers with ringworm in terms of frequent contact of the lesion with the mat surface and recurrence (p>0.05). On the other hand, statistical z-test showed that there is no significant difference between the infected and non- infected wrestlers with Tinea gladiatorum in terms of domestic and foreign travel and for training or competition with rivals, the number of domestic and foreign travels, weight, age, type of bathing, wrestling type, the geographic location of wrestling hall and anatomic location of lesion (p>0.05).
Conclusion : Rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment of dermatophytic infection and observance of health issues of athletes to prevent reduction and interruption of the exercises and competitions are essential.