This cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out to determine the socio-demographic, and clinical profiles of mycologically diagnosed pityriasis versicolor (PV) among outpatients of the Department of Dermatology, Teaching Hospital of Yopougon (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire) between July, 2012 and February, 2013. Among 1578 patients screened for various consultations, 200 presented with lesions suggestive of PV, reflecting a rate of 12.7% (CI95% = 11.1 to 14.4). These 200 patients were enrolled regardless of gender or age and sampled using the cellophane tape method for identification of Malassezia yeast. Percentage of patients receiving mycological diagnose was 10.8% (CI95% = 9.4 to 12.4). The average age of the patients was 24.8 years (3 to 56 years; SD = 9.6). Women (58.5%) and patients between 20 and 30 years (54.4%) were most commonly affected. Education level (p = 0.0013), lesion type (p = 0.0005) and use of cosmetic products (p < 0.0001) were associated with the occurrence of PV. Cosmetic products with depigmenting effects were among the most commonly used by affected patients (52.2%). Lesions were mostly located on the back (38.8%) and the chest (20.5%). There were no associated symptoms (43.9%) observed and affected patients (33.3%) experienced high sweating. A better understanding of the risk factors associated with this condition and biological confirmation of suspicious cases would allow for more effective therapeutic management. 

 

Key words: Pityriasis versicolor, contributing factors, Malassezia sp., Côte d’Ivoire.