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Tinea capitis in schoolchildren from lvory Coast (western Africa). A 1998–1999 cross‐sectional study
Author(s) -
Ménan Eby Ignace Hervé,
ZongoBonou Odette,
Rouet François,
KikiBarro Pulchérie Christiane,
Yavo Williams,
Névabi François,
Koné Moussa
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-4362.2002.01456.x
Subject(s) - tinea capitis , medicine , odds ratio , cross sectional study , dermatology , dermatophyte , confidence interval , trichophyton , trichophyton tonsurans , veterinary medicine , pediatrics , pathology , antifungal
Background Tinea capitis is a worldwide public health problem that poses specific therapeutic challenges. This dermatophytosis of the scalp is endemic in Africa. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence, the associated demographic factors, causative species, and clinical types of tinea capitis in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Methods From June 1998 to March 1999, 1913 children aged between 4 and 15 years, and schooling in seven urban primary schools of Abidjan (Ivory Coast), were examined clinically for tinea capitis. Among all children showing symptoms suggestive of scalp ringworm, hair stumps and scales were collected and exposed to direct microscopic examination using 30% potassium hydroxide solution, and cultivation on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar with or without actidione. Results Among 227 symptomatic children, cultures positive for fungi were found in 217, yielding an overall tinea capitis prevalence of 11.34%[95% Confidence Interval (CI), 9.97–12.85]. By univariate analysis, tinea capitis was significantly associated with boys [odds ratio (OR) 7.85; CI 5.22–11.81] and in children belonging to the intermediate 8–11 years age group (OR 1.93; CI 1.29–2.90). Trichophyton soudanense and Microsporum langeronii were the most prevalent etiologic agents (63.6% and 31.3%, respectively), whereas a mixture of both T. soudanense and M. langeronii was observed in a 2.8% proportion. Finally, 2.3% of isolated species were represented by T. violaceum . Conclusions Our survey provided evidence that tinea capitis is endemic in Ivory Coast, constituting a substantial infectious dermatological disturbance. T. soudanense was the most frequent causative agent, whereas T. violaceum was isolated for the first time in this sub‐Saharan western African country.