title: A retrospective study of some clinical and epidemiological features of impetigo patients seen in dermatology clinic in the eastern province of saudi arabia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Impetigo is a common contagious superficial skin infection, most frequently seen in children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the clinical and epidemiological features of impetigo patients seen in the dermatology clinic of King Fahd Hospital of the University (KFHU).
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective study of impetigo patients seen in the dermatology clinic at KFHU, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, during the period January 1990 to December 2001. Data collected from patients' records included demographic features, clinical features, investigations and treatment. Only patients with positive skin culture were included in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total number of patients included in this study was 65 and constituted 0.08% of all the cases presenting with dermatology problems in that period. Males were affected by impetigo more than the females, giving a ratio of 1.7:1. The majority of the cases occurred in children less than 10 years of age, and the bullous form of impetigo was the predominant type. The sites affected by impetigo were mainly the extremities and the face. The highest number of patients was seen during summer and Staphylococcus was the most common causative agent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence and prevalence of impetigo in Saudi Arabia is unknown and can be best defined by prospective community-based study. The diagnosis and management of impetigo is best achieved by microbiological cultures and sensitivities laboratory investigations.
authors.affiliation: Al-Khobar Government Hospital, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Khalid M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Al-Ghamdi