Prevalence of Fungi Skin Infections Among Individuals with Skin Lessions in Enugu East Community

Abstract

Superficial and cutaneous skin infections constitutes a major public health challenge globally. These fungal skin infections normally cause dis-figuration of skin, finger and toe nails. The goal of this study was to determine the occurrence and risk factors among children, adolescents and adults in rural dwellers of Enugu East local government Area , Enugu Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional study that enrolled individuals with skin lesions in any part of the body. The pupils and adolescents were recruited from primary and secondary schools while the adults were recruited from churches and primary health care clinics. Skin scrapping were collected from the various part of the body, head, finger and toe nails and affected hair strands. The samples were analysed mycologically using sabouraud dextrose agar and corn meal agar with actidione. A total of 211 persons with skin lesions were analysed. They comprised of 42.7% (90/211) pupils; 33.2% (70/211) adolescents and 24.1% (51/211) adults. The mean age of the pupils, adolescents and adults were 6.9 ± 1.68, 12.29 ± 2.3 and 29.53 ± 8.6 year olds respectively. The prevalence rate of fungal isolates from pupils, adolescents and adults were 36.97%, 30.8% and 21.8% respectively. Among the pupils and adolescents, tinea capitis and tinea corporis at a frequency of 13.2% and 7.9%, were prevalent, while tinea unguium 6.3% was more among the adults. The fungal agents isolated comprised majorly of 19.0% Trichophyton soudanense, 11.4% Trichophyton rubrum, 10.9% Microsporum audounii and 6.6% Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Both Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus and Malasessia furfur were obtained at prevalence rate of 6.6%, 5.7% and 1.4%. The high occurrence of fungal skin infections among the different age groups remains public health problem. This is because these fungal agents may penetrate dermis and induce systemic infections, and / or cause dis-figuration of the skin. It is hereby suggested that health workers of the primary health centers be empowered to routinely educate the populace on good hygiene practices.