Prevalence of dermatophytosis in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu (Nigeria): any change in pattern?

A total of 344 specimens of skin, hair and nail clippings, were examined for the presence of dermatophytes during the period May 2003 – April 2004 at the UNTH. Out of these, 65 were found positive for dermatophytes. T. soudanense was the most frequently isolated species representing 70.8% of isolates, followed by T. mentagrophytes 12.3%, Adults were more predominantly infected than children, 89.2% and 10.8% respectively. T. soudanense was the only dermatophyte that was recovered from all sites apart from the buttocks. Compared to an earlier study in 1975, there was a significant decrease in the prevalence of T. capitis (PL0.05) and this explains the decrease in the prevalence of M. andounii, as this dermatophyte is the most common cause of T. capitis in Enugu, Nigeria. An improvement of Personal hygiene, better living conditions and improved socio economic conditions has led to a decrease of T. Capitis, as well as general awareness by the populace. Keywords: dermatophytes, superticial mycoses, antropophilic Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 8(2) 2005: 83-8