Subject(s)
Prototheca , Skin Diseases, Infectious/diagnosis , Humans , Infections/diagnosis , Leg Dermatoses/diagnosis , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Onychomycosis is the most common nail disease in adults. During recent years an increase in its frequency has been reported in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children under 12 years were examined and a clinical diagnosis of onychomycosis was made (Figs. 1-4). Potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparations were made and a fungus culture was done in each case. RESULTS: Twenty-six children with onychomycosis are reported; 16 boys (61.4%) and 10 girls (38.6%). The average age was 8 years. The most frequent variety was distal subungual onychomycosis (88.5%) and the earliest sign was distal subungual hyperkeratosis. The agent most frequently isolated was Trichophyton rubrum which was found in 18 cases (69.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Onychomycosis in children is not exceptional. Attention should be given to any sign during physical examination to avoid dystrophy of the nails and also to eliminate any source of infection.
Subject(s)
Onychomycosis , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Onychomycosis/diagnosis , Onychomycosis/drug therapy , Onychomycosis/microbiology , Trichophyton/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
Skin infections are common diseases in developing countries, of which dermatophytoses are of particular concern in the tropics, especially in infants. Through ethnobotanical surveys and literature review 100 plants were detected as being used in Guatemala for the treatment of dermatophytoses. Of these, 44 plants were screened for in vitro activity against the most common dermatophytes (Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum). Results showed that aqueous extracts from 22 of the plants tested inhibit one or more of the dermatophytes. The most commonly inhibited dermatophytes were E. floccosum (43.2%), T. rubrum (36.0%), and T. mentagrophytes (31.8%); the less inhibited were M. canis (22.7%) and M. gypseum (24.0%). Plants of American origin which exhibited anti-dermatophyte activity were: Byrsonima crassifolia, Cassia grandis, Cassia occidentalis, Diphysa carthagenensis, Gliricidia sepium, Piscidia piscipula, Sambucus mexicana, Smilax regelii, Solanum americanum and Solanum nigrescens. Fungicidal and fungistatic activities as well as the minimal inhibitory concentration were demonstrated. These results provide a scientific basis for the use of these plants for the treatment of dermatophyte infections in man.