Outbreak of Tinea capitis and corporis in a primary school in Antananarivo, Madagascar

Jean-François Carod, Mahery Ratsitorahina, Hasina Raherimandimby, Virginie Hincky Vitrat, Vololomboahangy Ravaolimalala Andrianaja, Nelly Contet-Audonneau
2011 Journal of Infection in Developing Countries  
Tinea capitis is common among schoolchildren in developing countries but underreported in Madagascar. We report the occurrence of an outbreak of gray patch tinea capitis due to Microsporum langeronii in a public primary school of Antananarivo, the capital city of Madagascar. Methodology: Forty-two children were included, 27 (64%) of them presenting with tinea capitis and 32 (76%) with Tinea corporis. Patients were treated with griseofulvin 500 mg and Povidone-iodine 4% and followed up for four
more » ... eeks. Results: Twenty-five (93%) of the 27 children with tinea capitis presented a gray patch as the main clinical feature. All these cases were fluorescent under Wood's UV light and positive in cultures for M. langeronii. All 27 children reported a contact with infected classmates, and 19 (70%) reported to have infected brothers and sisters at home. After four weeks of treatment, all patients recovered. Conclusion: Appropriate treatment and improved hygienic practices reduced the occurrence of tinea in the studied school and no more cases of tinea capitis or corporis occurred after the outbreak.
doi:10.3855/jidc.1944 fatcat:cudh2t32wjcqvonwyctcwewz6u