Tinea capitis in schoolchildren in a rural area in southern Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVES: Skin diseases, especially tinea capitis, represent some of the most frequent causes of morbidity in developing countries. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalences of fungal infections in schoolchildren in a primary school located in a rural area in southern Ethiopia and to perform an analysis of the risk factors associated with tinea capitis. METHODS: This school-based, prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2012 in Gambo School, Kore, West Arsi, Oromya Region, Ethiopia. Detailed interviews and dermatological examinations were performed. No laboratory examinations were conducted. RESULTS: A total of 647 students were interviewed and examined. The mean age of these children was 10 years (range: 4-14 years). Of the children examined, 236 had some type of dermatophytosis (prevalence: 36.5%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 32.8-40.3), which represented the most frequent type of skin problem. The prevalence of dermatophytoses was more common in males than in females (42.2% and 30.5%, respectively; P = 0.002), and among pupils aged 5-7 years (46.9%; P < 0.001). A total of 159 (prevalence: 24.6%, 95% CI 21.3-28.1) children had tinea capitis, 56 (8.7%) had tinea pedis, 50 (7.7%) had tinea corporis, and six (0.9%) had tinea unguium. In multivariate analysis, the risk factors for tinea capitis were: age (odds ratio [OR] 0.75, 95% CI 0.69-0.84; P < 0.001), and male gender (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.69-13.39; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Fungal dermatoses, especially tinea capitis, are common in primary schoolchildren in rural areas of southern Ethiopia, especially in young boys.

Methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone allergies can be detected by 200 ppm of methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone patch test concentration.

BACKGROUND: Methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) and methylisothiazolinone (MI) contact allergies are rising dramatically. Moreover, 100 ppm of MCI/MI patch test might not detect an important number of MCI/MI and MI allergies. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to present the prevalence of contact allergy to both preservatives in an area of Spain and to investigate if 100 ppm of MCI/MI is an adequate concentration for a proper diagnosis. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted from October 2011 to September 2013. All patients were patch tested with the Spanish baseline series (containing 100 ppm of MCI/MI) and with 200 ppm of MCI/MI and 2000 ppm of MI. RESULTS: A total of 490 patients were patch tested. The MCI/MI prevalence was 10% and increased from 7.8% in last term of 2011 to 14.3% in the first 9 months of 2013. The MI prevalence was 4.5% and increased from 1% to 7.7% in the same period. One hundred parts per million of MCI/MI could not diagnose 24.5% of MCI/MI allergies. All MI allergies were detected by 200 ppm of MCI/MI, whereas only 68.2% were positive to 100-ppm concentration. CONCLUSIONS: For a correct diagnosis of MCI/MI and MI contact allergies, we advocate increasing the MCI/MI patch test concentration to 200 ppm along with a temporal inclusion of MI in the North American Contact Dermatitis Group baseline series.