Seasonal change and its effect on the prevalence of infectious skin disease in a Gambian village

A longitudinal dermatological study was carried out to determine the effect of seasonal change on the prevalence of skin diseases, particularly infectious skin diseases. This study was performed at the end of the rainy season and at the end of the subsequent dry season at Keneba, The Gambia. The surveys provide a profile of the influence of climate on the prevalence of certain skin diseases, both in terms of the susceptible diseases and who in the community was most affected. These surveys also provided an appreciation of the magnitude of skin disease in the community. The greatest effect of climatic change was on the prevalence of the dermatomycoses and pyoderma in children under 10. No seasonal influences were detected with other forms of skin disease. Some unusual aspects of scabies were noted in the surveys, particularly the low prevalence and the unusual age distribution pattern with no higher prevalence amongst children.

Skin diseases in Zambia

This is the first report on the incidence of skin diseases in Zambians. A diagnostic analysis of 12,610 patients seen over the past year in the Dermatology Clinic at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia, is presented. The common diseases as well as the peculiarities are discussed. The need to develop research centres in various regions of Africa is emphasized in order to provide better insight into the special dermatological problems seen in the black Africans.

Epidemiologic studies among Amerindian populations of Amazônia. I. Pyoderma: prevalence and associated pathogens

Pyoderma was studied among a representative sample of the residents of four remote Amerindian villages, Amazonas State, Brazil, during July-August 1976. The overall prevalence among the 775 inhabitants examined was 11%, with little intervillage variation. When the attack rates for the entire sample population were calculated by 5-year age intervals, the 0- to 4-year-olds had the highest rate, 31%. The highest prevalence, 38%, was found among 3-year-olds. Attack rates were not apparently related to sex. Cultures which were taken from representative pyoderma lesions from people in the four survey villages and from three additional villages were studied by a modified delayed culture technique for recovery of gram-positive pathogens from silica-gel desiccated swabs. Group A and group G B-hemolytic streptococci, coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus, and Corynebacterium diphtheriae were isolated. Group A S. pyogenes was most commonly found, occasionally as the sole pathogenic species. No nephritogenic M-types were found, although most isolates were not M-typable. The T-types found corresponded to those previously reported as being pyoderma-associated. Most pyoderma-associated C. diphtheriae isolates were non-toxigenic. Biotypes gravis and mitis were equally represented.

[Characteristics of several epidemiologic features of suppurative-septic diseases of staphylococcal etiology in obstetric institutions]

The authors studied the frequency of the purulent-septic diseases in puerperants and neonates and the percentage among them of affections of staphylococcus etiology, their seasonal incidence and nidality. The phage-type reference of the strains of staphylococci circulating at the maternity home, and their connection with the staphylococcus carrier state among the personnel and the extent of spread of the purulent-septic diseases was determined. There was revealed an interrelationship between the incidence of recording of the purulent-septic diseases at the maternity home and the level of staphylococcus carrier state among the medical personnel. The sum total positive culture percentage in serous mastitis, endometritis and in case of suture disjunction due to purulent complications was 63.5, and in case of purulent-septic diseases of neonates -- 55--65. Strains belonging to the "epidemic" phage types are widespread at the maternity homes.

Common skin diseases (analysis of 7,636 cases)

A total of 7,636 patients attending the Outpatient Clinic of the Skin and Venereal Disease Department, Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, were analysed in relation to skin affection, place of residence, seasonal variation of skin diseases, age incidence and site involved with skin diseases. In over 70% of patients, the skin condition diagnosed was either pyoderma or scabies. Majority of these patients came from rural areas. Greater number of patients with pyoderma sought medical help during summer whereas more patients with scabies came during winter. Pyoderma was common in young children but incidence of scabies was distributed in all age groups.

Endemic pyoderma in Ghana: a survey in rural villages

The prevalence and characteristics of pyoderma in a randomly sampled rural population in Ghana has been studied. Findings are compared with studies reported in recent literature which describe pyoderma in other countries. In the present study, conducted in 1975 as part of the Danfa Project's Village Health Survey, pyoderma was diagnosed in 19.4% of villagers examined. Peak rates occurred in the five to nine-year-old age group, and pyoderma was more prevalent among males and unskilled labourers and farmers than among those engaged in more sedentary occupations. Non-bullous impetigo was most common (72% of lesions) and, in contrast to other studies, non-group A-streptococci predominated in these lesions (82% of streptococcal lesions were Group G, 18% Group C). Current knowledge of transmission and control of pyoderma is discussed.

Scabies and other skin diseases in pre-school children in Ujamaa villages in Tanzania

A survey of skin diseases was carried out in pre-school children in five Ujamaa villages in Rufiji district and 532 children (5.3% of the total population) were screened. The results showed that scabies was the commonest skin problem affecting 31% of the children. Primary pyoderma and fungal infections were relatively less common and accounted for 7.0 and 2.4% respectively. Staphylococcus aureus, Group A beta haemolytic streptococci and Corynebacterium diphteriae were the commonest pathogeneic bacteria isolated from both infected scabies and primary pyoderma. Tinea capitis was similarly the commonest fungal infection and Microsporium audouinii was the main pathogen. The high prevalence of scabies was attributed to poor hygiene, overcrowding with intimate personal contact. The low prevalence of pyoderma was due to the fact that we did not include secondarily infected scabies and eczema amongst the cases of pyoderma.

Skin infections in eastern Panama. Survey of two representative communities

A skin infection survey of 1,084 people was carried out in two jungle villages in eastern Panama. Bacterial pyoderma was the most prevalent infection, affecting 25% of boys, 15% of girls, and 11% of those over 10 years of age. Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus were recovered from 84% of pyodermas cultured. Nearly 60% of the cutaneous staphylococcal isolates were resistant to penicillin. Hippelates flies were seen feeding on purulent skin lesions and may have been important in transmission. Scabies, ringworm, candidiasis, and cutaneous leishmaniasis were in comparison with pyoderma involving less than 1% of the population each. All of the ringworm infections were caused by Trichophyton rubrum.

Heat, humidity and pyodermas

The effect of humidity and atmospheric heat on the incidence of pyodermas was studied by recording the out-patient department attendance of these patients and general skin attendance and correlating the percentage with the climatic variations. There was a definite increase in incidence of pyodermas during the months of June, July and August. During this period atmospheric temperature and relative humidity were also fairly high. The hydration of stratum corneum, which in turn is influenced by heat and humidity, is responsible for excessive growth of bacteria and higher frequency of pyogenic skin infections.