[Tinea pedis and Onychomycosis in Children of the Mazahua Indian Community in Mexico].
BACKGROUND
Tinea pedis and onychomycosis in childhood are unusual, The previous reported prevalence range from 4.2 to 8.2%. In a mestizo population, in the South of Mexico a 3.4% has been found.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of dermatophytosis of feet and toenails in scholars in an Indian Mazahua community.


METHODS
A total of 456 children were studied. The age range from 5 to 15 years of age (average 11.4). Only 71 children with suggestive lesions of dermatophytosis were studied (15.57%). Mycological samples (66/71) and a KOH and Chlorazol black, and cultures on Mycocel agar were performed.


RESULTS
71 children (15.57%) presented suggestive lesions of dermatophytosis of the feet and toenails. A fungal infection was demonstrated in 13 cases (18%), 8 males and 5 females (mean age 12.3 years), but pathogenic fungi were isolated only in 7 (10%). All of them with tinea pedis and three also had toenail involvement (4.2%) and also Trichosporon sp was isolated in two cases and Candida albicans in one.


CONCLUSIONS
We found a low frequency of tinea pedis and onychomycosis in children from this Mazahua community. The environmental factors such as humidity, and the frequently use of rubber and leather shoes instead of the traditional "huarache" (sandals), make them prone to maceration and can be cofactors in the development of mycotic infections and in the high incidence of pitted keratolysis (29.5%).
Ruiz-Esmenjaud
Julieta
J
Sección de Micología, Departamento de Dermatología, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, Calzada de Tlalpan #4800, Tlalpan, México D.F. 14000.
Arenas
Roberto
R
Rodríguez-Alvarez
Mauricio
M
Monroy
Elena
E
Felipe Fernández
Ramón
R
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014008:Tinea Pedis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy