Tinea capitis in schoolchildren from lvory Coast (western Africa). A 1998-1999 cross-sectional study.
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.
Ménan
Eby Ignace Hervé
EI
Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie, UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Université de Cocody, Abidjan 22, Côte d'Ivoire. rvmenan@hotmail.com
Zongo-Bonou
Odette
O
Rouet
François
F
Kiki-Barro
Pulchérie Christiane
PC
Yavo
Williams
W
N'Guessan
François Névabi
FN
Koné
Moussa
M
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013334:Students; D014006:Tinea Capitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*