ISSN: 2689-7822
Authors: Sekangue OG*, Sibi MRH, M’bandoukwe NP, Ndong NJM, Ada MMF, Ndong AL, Manomba C, Mounomby A, Mawili MDP, Nzenze AS and Bouyou AMK
Introduction: Tinea capitis is a benign alopecising fungal infection mainly affecting school children with a tendency to spontaneous healing at puberty, and caused by dermatophytes. Objective: To determine the prevalence of Tinea capitis in school children in the Haut Ntem department. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from November 11, 2021 to April 7, 2022 in 3 villages in the Haut Ntem department. The ringworm lesions were taken from school children head using a scalpel and collected in a sterile Petri dish. Each sample was examined directly and cultured on Sabouraud Chloramphenicol Actidione medium. Tinea capitis was diagnosed if either direct examination or culture was positive. Results: Among the 128 children, included, median age was 9 years; Tinea capitis with small plaques (66.4%) were more frequent than those with large plaques (33.6%). The frequency of Tinea capitis was higher on direct examination (23.6%) than on culture (9.4%). The age group most affected by both direct examination and culture was [6-9 years] (p=0.27). After culture, Tinea capitis of the scalp was more frequent in Gabon-Ville (41.7%); whereas its frequency (25.0%) was similar in Akok and Gabon-Ville on direct examination. Endotrix parasitism was significantly more frequent (p<0.0001). Tinea capitis was mainly due to the Trichophyton genus (100%, p<0.0001). Conclusion: Tinea capitis are a public health problem in rural Gabon. They are dominated by small-plate ringworm caused by fungi of the Trichophyton genus.
Keywords: Prevalence; Ringworm; Haut Ntem; Trichophyton; Gabon
