Dermatophytoses in South Africa

Dermatophytoses were investigated among white and Bantu patients at Dermatology Clinics in Bloemfontein between October 1970 and March 1973. Tinea capitis occurred predominantly in Bantu children and tinea corporis was found most often in white children. Trichophyton violaceum and Microsporum canis were the most frequent causes of these conditions. Tinea pedis and cruris were found almost exclusively in white adults and were more common in males than in females. Trichophyton interdigitale, Epidermophyton floccosum and Trichophyton rubrum, in that order of frequency, were the causative agents of these conditions. Favus due to Trichophyton schoenleinii occurred but was found only in Bantu children. Infections caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum audouinii and Microsporum gypseum were very rare.