Dermatophytes and dermatophytosis in the eastern and southern parts of Africa

Abstract

Dermatophytosis is currently a disease of global importance and a public health burden. It is caused by dermatophytes, which attack and grow on dead animal keratin. Dermatophytes belong to three genera, namely, Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Trichophyton. The predominant clinical forms and causative agents vary from one region of the world to another. Poor socioeconomic status, high population densities, and poor sanitary conditions are some of the factors responsible for the high prevalence of dermatophytosis in many developing countries, which include countries in southern and eastern Africa, the focus of this review. To the best of our knowledge, there is currently no review article on published findings on dermatophytosis in the eastern and southern parts of Africa. This information will be of interest to the medical and research community since the world has become a global village. This review covers published research findings in eastern and southern regions of Africa until this date. The countries covered in the current review include Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. T. violaceum is the most common human etiological agent in all the countries under review with prevalence ranging from 56.7% to 95%, except for Madagascar (M. langeronii, reclassified as M. audouinii), Uganda (M. gypseum) and Malawi (M. audouinii). Tinea capitis was the most clinical type, followed by tinea corporis. Etiological agents of animal dermatophytoses were variable in the countries where they were reported. Major risk factors for dermatophytoses are age, climatic, and socioeconomic factors.

Major challenges and perspectives in the diagnostics and treatment of dermatophyte infections

“…Currently, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton verrucosum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes are the most important species isolated in Europe (Havlickova et al 2008;Hayette and Sacheli 2015). In Asia and Australia, there are definitely fewer cases of superficial mycoses caused by T. verrucosum (Deng et al 2008;Nweze and Eke 2017), whereas T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, and Trichophyton violaceum are the most frequently isolated pathogens in these regions (Deng et al 2008;Seebacher et al 2008). The dermatophytes Trichophyton audouinii, T. violaceum and Trichophyton soudanense are the most prevalent pathogens in Africa, whereas T. rubrum, Trichophyton tonsurans and T. mentagrophytes are most commonly observed in Americas (Nweze and Eke 2017).…”

Tinea corporis by Microsporum audouinii in a female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) from Guinea‐Bissau: A case report

“…Although no characteristic lesions were observed in the children and adults contacting with the animal, they could be asymptomatic carriers and a source of infection for other humans and animals, confirming the importance of these fungal species to Public Health. 1,5,13,20 Also, dermatophyte conidia can persist in the environment for long periods of time also increases the probability for indirect transmission. 2,3 Dermatophytosis is usually self-limiting in immunocompetent animals, but effective therapeutic measures are important to reduce disease time course, to control dissemination, and to avoid environmental contamination.…”

“…2,3,6 In particular, Tinea capitis is a frequent problem in children living in unsanitary and high population density environments. 1,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Dermatophytosis is promoted by zoophilic, anthropophilic or geophilic filamentous keratinophilic fungi, including Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton. 2,5,10,[13][14][15] In primates, most frequent species are Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. simii, 3,16 which prevalence and pathogenic profile are in constant evolution due to climate and natural reservoirs variations, globalization, migration, tourism, animal habitat changes, fungal species evolution, and therapeutic improvements.…”

“…1,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Dermatophytosis is promoted by zoophilic, anthropophilic or geophilic filamentous keratinophilic fungi, including Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton. 2,5,10,[13][14][15] In primates, most frequent species are Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. simii, 3,16 which prevalence and pathogenic profile are in constant evolution due to climate and natural reservoirs variations, globalization, migration, tourism, animal habitat changes, fungal species evolution, and therapeutic improvements. 1,2,6,7,9,10,[12][13][14][15] For example, Microsporum audouinii is an emergent anthropophilic specie rarely isolated from animals, in spite of being related with human infections in several African countries, including Congo,…”

“…Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 1,2,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13]15,17 In spite of dermatophytosis importance, reports in primates are scarce. Some information is available regarding captive animals, being essential to develop research on free-ranging wildlife, particularly considering its importance to animal health and conservation projects.…”