Fungal skin infections among prison inmates in Abakaliki, Nigeria

Abstract

Of 402 prison inmates screened for fungal skin lesions, 79 (19.7%) showed skin lesions, which proved mycologically positive by microscopy and culture. Dermatophytes were responsible for skin lesions in 61 (77.2%) of the inmates, while non-dermatophytes accounted for 18 (22.8%) of the lesions. The dermatophytes recovered were mostly anthropophilic and included Trichophyton rubrum 33 (41.8%); T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale 3 (3.8%); T. tonsurans 3 (3.8%); T. violaceum 2 (2.5%); Epidermophyton floccosum 10 (12.7%). A zoophilic dermatophyte, Microsporum canis, was recovered from 10 (12.7%) cases. The non-dermatophytes were Candida albicans 15 (19%) and Candida spp. 3 (3.8%). Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently recovered dermatophyte (41.8%) and caused infections in a variety of sites. The groin was the most common site of infection being infected in 50% of the cases by both the dermatophytes and non-dermatophytes. Younger inmates (17-24 years) recorded the highest prevalence of infection (45.6%). Newer inmates (>2 years) were found to be more infected than older ones.