Dermatophytosis in schoolchildren in Ekpoma, Nigeria

Summary. Of 1400 pupils from two public primary schools in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria, who were screened for dermatophyte infection, 188 (13.4%) were infected. The causative agents isolated included Microsporum audouinii in 88 (46.8%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes in 48 (25.5%), T. rubrum in 40 (21.3%), T. tonsurans in four (2.1%) and Epidermophyton floccosum in eight (4.3%). There were significant differences in the rate of infection between male and female schoolchildren as well as between children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Zusammenfassung. Unter 1400 Schulkindern der zwei Grundschulen in Ekpoma, Edo, Nigeria, die auf Dennatophyten-Infektionen untersucht wurden, erwiesen sich 188 (13,4%) infiziert. Die isolierten Erreger waren: Microsporum audouinii 88 (46,8%); Trichophyton mentagrophytes 48 (25,5%), T. rubrum 40 (21,3%), T. tonsurans 4 (2,1%) sowie Epidermophyton floccosum 8 (4,3%). Es waren deutliche Unterschiede in der Infektionsrate zwischen Jungen und Madchen und auch zwischen Kindern unterschiedlicher sozio-okonomischer Gruppen zu beobachten.