Ringworm in the Solomon Islands

Abstract
Scrapings from 362 Solomon Islanders suffering from ringworms were sent for laboratory investigation. Direct examination of 297 samples was carried out and fungal hyphae and spores were observed in 85 per cent. All samples were cultured and dermatophytes were isolated from 306 (85 per cent.). The following dermatophyte species were identified: T. concentricum 72 per cent.; T. rubrum 25 per cent.; T. tonsurans 1 per cent.; M. gypseum 0.6 per cent. Double infections were found in four subjects. In two, T. concentricum was associated with T. rubrum, and also in two, with T. tonsurans. T. concentricum infections predominated in all age-groups but T. rubrum was isolated more frequently from adults than from children and adolescents. More male than female subjects were infected, but the distribution of the species of dermatophyte was not affected by the sex of the host. The geographical distribution of T. concentricum and T. rubrum is discussed, and the absence of T. mentagrophytes from the collection is noted.

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