Aetiologic agents of Tinea pedis among diabetics and non diabetics in Calabar, Nigeria

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

Dental caries, flouride levels and oral hygiene practices of school children in Matebeleland South, Zimbabwe

1386, 5–6-yr-old and 1326, 12-yr-old schoolchildren in the mainly rural province of Matabeleland South, in Zimbabwe, were examined for dental caries and interviewed about their oral hygiene practices. Fluoride contents of the drinking water source of the schools were determined and were found to be in the range 0.05–2.5 ppm. Among 5–6-yr-old children, 25.2% were affected with caries and the mean dent score was 0.6 whereas 19.8% of the 12-yr-old children had caries, and the mean DMFT score was 0.3. In both age groups low fluoride levels in drinking water