The Epidemiology of Dermatophytosis among Elementary School Children in Koohrang City, Iran, in 2014 and 2015

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dermatophytosis among elementary school students in Koohrang city, Iran, in 2014 and 2015.

From a total of 4313 elementary schools students, 891 cases were evaluated for cutaneous lesions. The suspicious head, nail or cutaneous lesions were examined for the presence of fungal elements using direct smears and culture methods.

Out of 891 subjects, 40 cases were suspicious; of them, 10 cases were confirmed to be positive for fungal infections. The causative agents of 8 cases of dermatophytosis were identified as Trichophyton verrocosum (5 cases), Microsporum canis (1 case), Microsporum gypseum (1 case), Trichophyton violaseum (1 case). Two cases were Malassezia pityriasis positive.

Seventy percent of positive cases lived in poor hygienic quality. Probably more important causes of this condition are lower health and lifestyle of ranching and farming. As dermatophytosis is a zoonotic disease, lifestyle has significant role in prevalence of it. Agriculture and ranching and living closely with animals such as cats and dogs, in addition to low health and low awareness are important risk factors for dermatophytosis.