Abstract

Understanding the most prevalent species of Dermatophytes, the age group and sex most affected could form the basis for control and cure. Investigations were carried out on the distribution of Dermatophytes of the scalp (Tinea capitis) among primary school children in two primary schools in Mowe-Ofada area of Ogun State, Nigeria. One of the schools (NUD primary school) located in an urban area while the other (St David’s primary school) is situated in a rural area. A total of seventy-eight children were examined. The samples were collected by scraping and the use of sterile swab. Fungal culturing and microscopy methods were later used to identify the Dermatophytes. Out of 78 children examined 45 (57.7%) were positive while 33 (42.3%) were negative. The species identified include: Microsporum audouinii 3 (6.7%), Trichophyton tonsurans 8 (17.8%), Trichophyton terrestre 4 (8.9%), Trichophyton mentagrophyte 3 (6.7%), Microsporum gypseum 2(4.4%), Microsporum canis 3 (6.7%) and Trichophyton verrucosum 4 (8.9%). The infection was more prevalent in males (94.8%) than in females (5.1%) with T. tonsurans (42.1%) have the highest percentage of infection, while M. gypseum (4.9%) had the least. There was a significant difference (p>0.005) in Dermatophytes infection from the two schools, St David’s primary school 32(71.1%) and NUD primary school, 13(28.9%). T. tonsurans (10.4%) was the most prevalent species in both schools, while the least was M. gypseum (2.6%). The highest infection occurred among the 5-7 age bracket (53.3%), (p>0.005) compared with other age brackets. Ages 12-14 (15.6%) had the lowest number of infections.

Keywords:

Children, dermatophytes, infection, Microsporum, primary schools, Trichophyton,

References

Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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The authors have no competing interests.