Characterization of dermatophytes isolated from primary school children in parts of some selected south west States of Nigeria

Abstract

Tinea capitis, is predominantly a disease of pre-adolescent children, being less common in adults. This study was aimed at isolating and characterizing dermatophytes recovered from scalp lesions of primary school children in parts of Ekiti, Lagos and Ogun states. Lesions were aseptically collected from 102 children suspected of being infected by dermatophytes, after which their bio/socio-demographic data were collected. Out of the 102 samples, 95 were potassium hydroxide (KOH) positive, while 75 dermatophytes were isolated and confirmed by their physical and biochemical characteristics. The most prevalent dermatophyte was found to be Microsporum canis(n=21; 28%), followed by Microsporum audounii (n=18; 24%, ), Trichophyton tonsurans (n=10; 13.3%), Microsporum gypseum (n=10; 13.3%), Trichophyton mentagrophyte (n=8; 10.7%), Epidermophyton flocossum (n=4; 5.3%), Trichophyton verrucosum (n=2; 2.7%), and Trichophyton rubrum (n=2; 2.7%, ). Comprehensive microbiological analyses facilitated the identification of dermatophytes. Health education is paramount in eradicating this infection, hence the implementation of personal hygiene policy into educational curricular, will ultimately help to reduce the menace of dermatophyte infection.