Prevalence and causative fungal species of tinea capitis among schoolchildren in Gabon

Hogewoning, A.A.; Adegnika, A.A.; Bavinck, J.N.B.; Yazdanbakhsh, M.; Kremsner, P.G.; Raaij-Helmer, E.M.H. van der; ... ; Lavrijsen, A.P.M. (2011)

Article / Letter to editor

Tinea capitis is endemic among schoolchildren in tropical Africa. The objective was to determine the prevalence of symptomatic tinea capitis in schoolchildren in Gabon. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 454 children aged 4-17 years, attending a rural school and an urban school. The diagnosis of tinea capitis was based on clinically manifest infection, direct microscopic examination using 20% potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution and fungal culture. Based on clinical examination, 105 (23.1%) of 454 children had tinea capitis. Seventy-four (16.3%) children were positive by direct examination (KOH) and/or fungal culture. The prevalence of tinea capitis depended on the school studied and ranged from 20.4% in the urban school with a higher socioeconomic status to 26.3% in the rural school with a lower socioeconomic status. Similarly, the spectrum of causative species varied between the different schools. Taken the schools together, Trichophyton soudanense (29.4%) was the most prominent species, followed by Trichophyton tonsurans (27.9%) and Microsporum audouinii (25.0%). Clinically manifest tinea capitis is endemic among schoolchildren in the Lambarene region in Gabon. The prevalence of tinea capitis and the causative species depended on the type of school that was investigated.

• Tinea capitis Trichophyton Microsporum Lambarene Africa primary-school children nigeria africa dermatophytoses epidemiology region

• All authors: Hogewoning, A.A.; Adegnika, A.A.; Bavinck, J.N.B.; Yazdanbakhsh, M.; Kremsner, P.G.; Raaij-Helmer, E.M.H. van der; Staats, C.C.G.; Willemze, R.; Lavrijsen, A.P.M.
• Date: 2011-09-30
• Journal: Mycoses
• Volume: 54
• Issue: 5
• Pages: E354E359
• DOI: doi:10.1111/j.1439-0507.2010.01923.x