Aetiologic agents of <i>Tinea pedis</i> among diabetics and non diabetics in Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

A total of 30 diabetic and 36 non- diabetic controls aged between 20-79 years were examined for tinea pedis using standard microscopic and cultural procedures. The prevalence rates of tinea pedis were 8 (26.7%) and 4 (11.1%) among diabetics and non-diabetics respectively. Trichophyton mentagrophytes var interdigitale was the most prevalent fungal species isolated in this study. Candida albicans was isolated from only diabetic subjects that had symptoms of tinea pedis. This suggests that diabetes mellitus may be a risk factor for tinea pedis caused by Candida albicans.There was a higher infection rate in diabetics aged between 40-79 years of age when compared with non- diabetic controls, where tinea pedis was only found among the younger age groups range. There was a significant difference in the infection rates among male and female diabetic subjects (p < 0.05) It is concluded that diabetes mellitus may be a predisposing factor to tinea pedis caused by Candida albicans but not by dermatophytes.



Key words: Aetiology, Diabetics mellitus, Dermatophytes, Tinea pedis.


(Global J Med Sci: 2003 2(1): 33-36)