Patterns of Dermatophytosis in Jos North, Plateau State of Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Cutaneous fungal infections also known as dermatophytosis involve the keratinized tissues of the body. The infection starts by the colonization of the stratum corneum of the skin by these homogenous group of keratinophilic fungi. Although the distribution of infection is worldwide, the prevalence of infection varies considerably with geographic location. The changing distribution pattern has been attributed to factors of climate, life style and prevalent immunodeficiency. The present study examined the distribution pattern of dermatophytosis among rural and urban human populations in Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria. Methods: The distribution pattern of dermatophytosis was studied among 1004 rural children, 1000 semi- urban children and 406 urban populations at guided random sampling in Jos North, Plateau State of Nigeria. The ages of the children ranged between 6 - 12 years while the young and older adults were from 14 – 50 years. Skin scrapings were collected from affected body areas after visual examination with the aid of sterile blades. The areas were cleaned with 70% alcohol following standard procedure. The scrapings from the edge of lesions which included hair and scales of skin were inoculated unto Sabouraud dextrose agar supplemented with antibiotics before incubation. Results: Dermatophytosis was more common among the males than the females in both urban and rural populations. There seemed to be a correlation between the socioeconomic status of families of infected children. The rural (27.2%) and sub-urban (2%) children were significantly more infected than urban dwellers (0.7%) (p<0.05). Tinea capitis was the most prevalent infection in children. The organisms implicated in the infections include Microsporum audounii (66%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (33%), T. soudonense (33%) and M. ferrigineum (10%). Among the adults tinea pedis was the most common infection followed by the groin infections (Tinea cruris). The organisms most frequently isolated within the adult infections include Epidermuphytun /Iocussum an T. soudanense. Conclusion: Geographical distributions of dominant species aggress with previous findings.