%0 Journal Article
%T Cutaneous Mycoses among Rice Farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria
%A Chito Clare Ekwealor
%A Christie Amechi Oyeka
%J Journal of Mycology
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/190742
%X Rice grain is one of the world's most important food crops, and its cultivation is a major occupation in Anambra State, Nigeria. These rice farmers are exposed to various agents that predispose them to cutaneous mycoses. The aim of this work was to screen rice farmers for lesions suggestive of cutaneous mycoses and to isolate and identify fungal agents associated with the infection. This survey was carried out between November 2009 and June 2011 in Anambra State, Nigeria. Clinical samples collected from 201 farmers with lesions suggestive of cutaneous mycoses were processed and the organisms identified. Questionnaires were used to obtain other necessary data and were statistically analyzed. Of the 2,580 rice farmers screened, 201 (7.79%) showed positive lesions. Organisms recovered included Microsporum audouinii, Microsporum ferrugineum, Trichophyton megnini, Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton rubrum, Aspergillus terrus, Aspergillus candidus, Aspergillus scleriotorum, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Scopulariopsis sp., Chrysosporium sp., Eupenicillium javanicum, Fusarium sp., Penicillium aculeatum, and Penicillium pinophilum. At the end of this work, onychomycosis was observed to be the most prevalent with nondermatophyte molds now becoming very important agents of cutaneous mycoses among rice farmer. 1. Introduction Rice farming is one of the major occupations in northern part of Anambra State, Nigeria. This grain which is one of the worldsĄŻ most important food crops is cultivated either in marshy low land areas with plenty of water or in a plateau or hilly regions where natural rainfall provides adequate amount of water [1]. The preparation of the land, plowing the field, using manure, fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, sowing of rice seeds, transplanting of rice seedlings, and harvesting are done manually by these farmers which predispose them to cutaneous mycoses. Cutaneous mycoses are pathogenic fungal infections that affect the keratinized layers of the skin and its appendages (nail, hair). It does not affect the living tissues. These infections are mainly caused by dermatophytes and yeasts. In addition to the accepted pathogens, nondermatophyte molds are now becoming significant in cutaneous mycoses [2, 3]. There have been reports of frightening increase in the incidence of fungal infections in the recent times. These have been linked by Terrell [4], Meis and Verweij [5], and Rolston [6] to medical treatments, immune-compromised conditions, malnutrition, certain surgeries, and heavy metals like mercury. Other factors that can
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jmy/2013/190742/