[Dermatophytes and immigration].

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Epidemiology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Immigrant populations represent a significant demographic in healthcare settings.
• Understanding the epidemiology of dermatophyte infections is crucial for public health.
• Previous studies have not fully elucidated the specific dermatophyte profiles among different immigrant groups in France.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and patterns of dermatophyte infections among immigrant populations in France.
• To compare the types of fungal skin infections (tinea vs. epidermophyties) between different immigrant groups and native populations.
• To assess the transmission dynamics of dermatophytes between immigrant and native populations.

Main Methods:

• Epidemiological study conducted from 1983-1984 at Saint-Louis' Hospital Mycology Laboratory.
• Analysis of patient consultations, focusing on immigrant demographics (28% in 1983).
• Identification and categorization of dermatophyte species causing tinea and epidermophyties.

Main Results:

• Black African immigrants showed high rates of tinea infections (Trichophyton soudanense, Microsporum langeronii) but low rates of epidermophyties.
• Immigrants from the Maghreb region had fewer tinea infections but similar rates of epidermophyties as native French individuals.
• Transmission of tinea agents like T. soudanense, M. langeronii, and T. violaceum to native populations was observed; M. canis primarily affected Maghrebi children.

Conclusions:

• Dermatophyte infection patterns vary significantly among different immigrant groups based on their origin.
• Tinea agents demonstrate easier transmission across populations compared to epidermophytes.
• Scytalidium and Hendersonula infections were predominantly found in Black immigrants from the West Indies and Africa.