ABSTRACT

This study aims at investigating the existence and distribution of dermatophytosis among pupils in four randomly selected schools in Umuahia North L.G.A. of Abia state, Nigeria, as well as determining the age and sex relationship. Samples of hair, nail, feet and skin scrapings collected from 200 pupils were investigated, cultured on Sabouraud agar and microscopically for fungal agents using 10% KOH and lactophenol cotton blue. Ethical approval was obtained from the Schools’ head teachers. Statistical analyses was by percentage. One hundred and twenty-four(124) (62.0%) were positive for dermatophytosis, while  76(38.0%) were negative. Identified fungi include: Microsporum audounii (32.3%), M. canis (10.5%), M. gypseum(5.6%), Trichophyton soudanense(4.0%), T. mentagrophytes (10.5%), T. rubrum (12.1%) and T. tansurans (25.0%). Study revealed that Trichophyton spp. predominated (51.6%), than Micosporum spp. (48.4%) and infection is age and sex dependent. It decreased with increased age. Male children had a higher prevalence rate (53.2%) than females (46.8%). Poor infrastructure, contact with soil, animal pets and infected peer mates; poor personal hygiene and inadequate environmental sanitation play major roles in the dissemination of dermatophytosis among these children. Consequently, proper health education, personal and environmental sanitation, infrastructure, primary health care and regular epidemiological/clinical studies are necessary in these rural primary Schools.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Title page ………………………………………………………………………………………….i

Certification ……………………………………………………………………………………....ii

Dedication ………………………………………………………………………………………..iii

Acknowledgements ………………………………………….….…………………………….….iv

Table of contents ……………………………………………..…………………………………...v

List of tables ……………………………………………………………….……………………vii

Abstract ………………………………………………………………………………………....viii

CHAPTER ONE 

1.0 INTRODUCTION ……………………….……………………………………………...1 

1.1 Aim Of Study .………………...……….………………………………………………….4 

1.2 Objectives Of Study ............................................................................................................4

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW.……………………………..………………………………..5

2.1 About Fungi ……………………………………..………………………………………..5

2.2 Background information ……………………...…………………………………………..5

2.3 Etiological agents of dermatophytosis ……………………………………………...…….8

2.4 Pathophysiology of dermatophytes infections …………………………………..………12

2.5 Clinical manifestations of dermatophytosis ……………………………………………..13

2.6 Complications of dermatophyte infections ………………………………………….......16

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 MATERIALS AND METHOD …………...…………………………………………..18

3.1 Ethical consideration …………………………………………………………………….18

3.2 Collection and transport of specimens …………………………………………………..18

3.3 Direct microscopy ……………………………………………………………………….19

3.4 Culture …………………………………………………………………………………...19

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 RESULT…………………………..………………………………………….... ……….20

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION  ………………………………………………...25

5.1 Discussion ……………………………………………………………………………….25

5.2 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………27

5.3 Recommendation ………………………………………………………………………..28

REFERENCES ………………………………………………………………………………...29

APPENDIX 1 …………………………………………………………………………...35