*1Ukam, I. I., 1Ukeye, A. A., 1Akpanke, J., and 2Abia-Bassey, L.
1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Calabar, PMB 1115, Calabar, Nigeria
2Department of Bacteriology, Virology and Mycology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Calabar, PMB 1115, Calabar, Nigeria
*Correspondence to: ukamjohn8@gmail.com; igborukam@unical.edu.ng; Tel: +2349074254995/
+2348032327041; ORCiD: 0009-0005-7645-5508
Abstract:
Background: Infections of the skin, nails and hair cause by dermatophytes species are common in both developing and developed countries, posing serious health challenge especially, among children of primary school age. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence and distribution of dermatophyte species among infected school children in Biase, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of children with clinical features of dermatophytosis from 9 of the 55 government-approved primary schools in Biase local government area (LGA) of Cross Rives State, selected by stratified random sampling technique. All children in the 9 selected schools were first examined for dermatophytic lesions. Samples of the lesions were then collected and examined by direct microscopy, and also cultured on Dermatophyte Test Medium (DTM) and incubated aerobically at 26-29oC. Pure cultures of the isolates were further examined by macroscopy, microscopy and biochemical test reactions to phenotypically confirm the fungi identity.
Results: A total of 5946 primary school children were screened for dermatophytosis, 206 (3.5%) had clinically suggestive lesions, and 180 (3.0%) were mycologically confirmed to be dermatophytoses. The highest prevalence of infection was among children from the school in Obum/Etana (7.6%, n=17/223) while the least prevalence was Akpet central primary school (1.5%, n=24/1670) (x2=43.94, p<0.0001). The prevalence of dermatophytoses was higher among school children in age group 8-10 years (3.3%, n=103/3114) and ≥ 11 years (3.3%, n=36/1096) than age group 5-7 years (2.4%, n=41/1736). The prevalence of infection among male school children (3.3%, n=100/2993) was slightly higher than female school children (2.7%, n=80/2953). A total of 9 species of dermatophytes were identified; Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton quinckeanum, Trichophyton violaceum, Trichophyton soudanense, Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton schoenleinii, Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum and Microsporum audouinii, with T. soudanense (59.1%, n=110) being the most frequently isolated while T. tonsurans (1.1%, n=2) was the least frequently isolated dermatophyte.
Conclusion: The prevalence of dermatophytoses among school children in Biase LGA of Cross River State, Nigeria is 3.0%, with high prevalence of infection among children in the age groups 8-10 and >11 years of age, and among parents/guardians that are low-income earners. Improved living condition of the people and standard hygiene practices may ameliorate the spread of dermatophytoses in the study setting.
Keywords: Dermatophytoses, Prevalence, School children, Rural setting.
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