Article

Mycological Studies of three skin Infections: Atropic dermatitis (Eczema), Tinea corporis (body Ring worm) and Seborrheic dermatitis (Dandruff) of the Scalp and Skin in Rural Communities in North-Central, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: Skin diseases are common and often have an impact on an individual’s healthrelated quality of life. Skin disorders or rather, infections can be isolated and identified to aid in diagnosis of the particular infection and can be characterized generally or specifically by their symptoms. They can also be managed and control by certain measures. Skin fungal infections continue to place a burden on health care and are a serious concern internationally in terms of cost and resource impact. The purpose of this research is to determine the fungi associated with certain skin infections. Methods: A mycological evaluation of three skin conditions; Eczema, Ringworm and Dandruff, was conducted on 30 cases. Direct microscopy by lacto-phenol cotton blue (LPCB) tease mount and culture was undertaken to isolate the fungal pathogens in each case. Results: The commonest dermatophyte isolated was Microsporum spp (41.7%). Dandruff cultures grew a high proportion of species of a non-dermatophyte mould, Aspergillus, of which Aspergillus niger (25%) was the commonest specie isolated. Total LPCB positivity rate was 100% and total culture positivity rate for dandruff was 40%, for Ringworm was 35% and for Eczema was 25%. Conclusion: This study highlights the fact that fungi also play a role in skin diseases, as either primary or secondary pathogens, and that inflammatory and non-inflammatory skin diseases are also in association with various moulds and/or dermatophyte genera.

Keywords: skin disease, infection, fungal, mould and eczema.