The spectrum of dermatophytes in northern Malawi (Africa)

Between 1.5% and 2.5% of the population in Karonga District, northern Malawi (Africa), were diagnosed as having tinea faciei, corporis, inguinalis or cruris in the course of a total population survey carried out between 1987 and 1989. With regard to the relative frequency distribution of dermatophytes, the main findings were the rarity of Trichophyton rubrum (around 1%) and the predominance of Microsporum audouinii (57%) in this part of Africa. In the genital area Epidermophyton floccosum was the most common isolate (56%).