Dermatophytosis among HIV-Infected and Non-HIV-Infected Children in Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Dermatophytosis is common in children especially in resource limited settings. Higher prevalence rates have been reported in children infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which is often attributable to the immunosuppressing effect of the virus. Trichophyton, Microsporium and Epidermophyton are the common aetiologic agents for dermatophytosis. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence, types and aetiologic agents of dermatophytosis among HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected children in our clinical practice in Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study carried out over a six -month period. The study subjects consisted of 372 HIV-infected children (169 males and 203   females) aged six weeks to 18 years. Similarly, 372 age, sex and socioeconomic class matched  non-HIV-Infected children were recruited to serve as a comparison group. Diagnosis of Dermatophytosis was based on clinical features as well as laboratory confirmation following mycology studies. Results: The prevalence of dermatophyte infections in HIV-infected subjects was 6.2% while that in non-HIV-infected subjects was 1.9% (Chi Square=8.8919; p-value=0.0029). Tinea capitis was the most common dermatophyte infection seen in both the HIV-infected (73.9%) and non-HIV-infected (57.1%) groups. Trichophyton rubrum was the most common aetiologic agent of dermatophyte infections in both the HIV-infected (30.4%) and non-HIV-infected (42.8%) study subjects. Conclusion: Dermatophytosis was significantly more common in HIV-Infected children in comparison to the non-HIV-Infected children. Tinea capitis was the common dermatophyte infection in both categories with Trichophyton rubrum being the leading aetiologic agent.