Farag A.G.A.Hammam M.A.Ibrahem R.A.Mahfouz R.Z.Elnaidany N.F.Qutubuddin M.Tolba R.R.E.DermatologyAdrology and STDs DepartmentFaculty of MedicineMenoufia UniversityShebin El-KomEgypt; Department of Public Health and Community MedicineFaculty of MedicineMenoufia UniversityShebin El-KomEgypt; Cleveland ClinicLerner College of MedicineCase Western Reserve UniversityClevelandOHUnited States; Clinical PathologyFaculty of MedicineMenoufia UniversityShebin El-KomEgypt; Clinical PharmacyFaculty of PharmacyMSA UniversityOctober CityEgypt; Independent ResearcherClevelandOHUnited States2020-01-092020-01-0920189337407https://doi.org/10.1111/myc.12743PubMed ID 29314351https://t.ly/2d3r5ScopusMSA Google ScholarMost superficial mycotic infections of human skin are due to dermatophytes. Children are frequently affected due to different predisposing factors, particularly overcrowding in classrooms. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of dermatophytes infections and their related risk factors among school children in Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. Six public primary and preparatory schools were randomly selected and their pupils (n=3464) were asked to complete a predesigned questionnaire covering both personal data and suspected risk factors for superficial dermatophyte infections. The children were also examined for dermatological diseases. Any suspected lesions were biopsied for mycological examination. The prevalence of clinically suspected dermatophytes infections was 1.41%, whereas the prevalence of culture confirmed cases was 0.98%. The most common clinical type was tinea capitis with a prevalence of 1.01%. Microsporum canis was the only isolated organism from the suspicious lesions with a 69.4% positivity rate. A higher prevalence was observed among boys, low socio-economic pupils and those with a family history of dermatophyte infections. Pet contact and sharing towels and caps among pupils were significant risk factors. Dermatophyte infection is still prevalent among basic school pupils. Fortunately, it is related to preventable risk factors. We recommend regular screening and use of educational health programmes for kids to control it. 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbHEnglishdermatophyte infectionsepidemiologyschool childrentinea capitisadolescentArthroderma otaeArticlechildcontrolled studydermatophytosisEgyptfamily historyfemalegroups by agehumanmajor clinical studymalemicrobiological examinationprevalenceprimary schoolpriority journalquestionnairerandomized controlled trialrisk factorschool childsex differenceskin diseasesocial statustinea capitisanimalArthrodermataceaebiopsyclassificationcohort analysiscrowding (area)dermatomycosisEgyptisolation and purificationmicrobiologyMicrosporumpathologypet animalschoolskinstudenttinea capitisTrichophytonAdolescentAnimalsArthrodermataceaeBiopsyChildCohort StudiesCrowdingDermatomycosesEgyptFemaleHumansMaleMicrosporumPetsPrevalenceRisk FactorsSchoolsSkinStudentsSurveys and QuestionnairesTinea CapitisTrichophytonArticlehttps://doi.org/10.1111/myc.12743PubMed ID 29314351