Utilization and Educational Impact of Basic Diagnostic Tools in Infectious Dermatoses in Southern Jordan

Abstract

Background: Infectious dermatoses are common in dermatology practice and often mimic other skin disorders, posing diagnostic challenges. In resource-limited settings, reliance on cost-effective bedside tools—such as Wood’s lamp, potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation, and dermoscopy—remains crucial for enhancing diagnostic accuracy and facilitating timely management.
Objectives: To evaluate the real-world utilization and diagnostic yield of bedside diagnostic methods in the assessment of common infectious skin conditions in Jordan.
Methods: This retrospective descriptive study analyzed medical records of 2,900 patients who underwent at least one diagnostic procedure at Al-Karak Teaching Hospital between July 2024 and July 2025. Data on the frequency, indications, and diagnostic outcomes of Wood’s lamp, KOH preparation, dermoscopy, bacterial cultures, and skin biopsy were extracted and summarized using descriptive statistics.
Results: Wood’s lamp was employed in 1,200 patients (41.3%), primarily for tinea capitis (50%) and pityriasis versicolor (16.7%). KOH microscopy was performed in 800 cases (27.6%), confirming fungal elements in 90% of clinically suspected cases. Dermoscopy was used in approximately 750 patients (25.8%) to aid in the diagnosis of fungal infections, scabies, and viral warts. In contrast, bacterial cultures (3%) and skin biopsies (rarely) were reserved for recurrent or diagnostically complex cases. Biopsy confirmed cutaneous leishmaniasis in two patients.
Conclusions: Integrating low-cost diagnostic tools with clinical evaluation significantly improves accuracy and reduces reliance on invasive or empirical treatments. These findings support the adoption of a structured, multimodal diagnostic approach in dermatology clinics, especially in resource-constrained environments, to optimize patient outcomes and minimize misdiagnosis.