Abstract

S. C. Enemuor* and A. S. Amedu

A total of 2184 primary school children were screened for superficial mycoses in Anyigba, a university town in Kogi State, Nigeria. Of the 2184 pupils sampled randomly from four schools, 144 (6.6%) had lesions suggestive of superficial mycoses. In a total of 155 samples collected, 108 (69.67%) yielded significant growth by culture. The distribution of superficial mycoses is dependent on age and sex. Eight species of fungi belonging to two genera were isolated, including: Microsporum gypseum (13.5%). M canis (12.4%), M. ferrugineum (3.4%), Trichophyton rubrum (30.3%), T. tonsurans (12.4%), T. soudanense (5.6%), T. verrucosum (11.2%) and T. schoenleinii (11.2%). Poor infrastructure (residential house and classrooms), contact with soil during outdoor activities (especially in children), intimate association with pet animals and poor personal hygiene may contribute to the spread of these infections among children.