Open AccessRingworm of the scalp in primary-school children in Alexandria: infection and carriage
Author(s) -
Awad Omar
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
eastern mediterranean health journal/eastern mediterranean health journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.442
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1687-1634
pISSN - 1020-3397
DOI - 10.26719/2000.6.5-6.961
Subject(s) - tinea capitis , pediculosis , scalp , carriage , medicine , trichophyton tonsurans , dermatology , dermatophyte , direct examination , trichophyton , pediatrics , pathology , biology , antifungal , botany , infestation , political science , law
A total of 510 children from a primary school in Alexandria were examined for tinea capitis, and samples were taken from their scalps. Specimens were examined by direct microscopy and were cultured. Diagnosis was by clinical and mycological findings. Clinical evidence of pediculosis capitis was found in 54.1% of children, more commonly in girls. Dermatophytes were isolated from 7.4% of scalp samples [2.9% confirmed cases, 4.5% carriers]. A further 2% were suspected cases as they were negative by mycology. Most of the children were under 10 years and none was aware of having the infection. All isolates were identified as Trichophyton violaceum.