Dermatophytes and other fungi associated with scalp-hair of nursery and primary schools children in Awka, Nigeria

Abstract EN

A total of 2,117 nursery and primary school children aged 1-13 years were surveyed for scalp hair infection in Awka, Nigeria between January and March 2004.

Specimens for mycological investigations were confirmed by microscopic examinations in 100 cases (4.7%) and the causative agents was isolated and cultured in 84 positive cases (3.9%).

Zoophilic dermatophytes accounted for 42%, followed by geophilic (37%)a and anthropophilic (21%) dermatophytes.

Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes were the main etiologic agents.

Other nondermatophytic fungi species isolated were Alternaria alternata 14 (17%), Aspergillus fumigates 10 (%12) Fusarium solani 7 (8%), Penicillium sp 3 (4%) and Candida albicans 3 (4%).