Dermatomycoses among industrial workers in Cross River State, Nigeria.

A survey of dermatomycoses was carried out amongst industrial workers in three different factories during the period 1987-1988. A total of 194 workers were screened, out of which 54 proved to be mycologically positive by microscopy and/or culture. Incidence was apparently highest amongst workers in a cement factory (Calcemco, 33.3%) followed by those in a wood factory (Seromwood, 30.8%) and a rubber factory (CREL, 26.2%). Pityriasis versicolor was the predominant clinical type of dermatomycosis, followed by tinea pedis. A total of 51 fungal organisms were identified. Malassezia furfur was the most prevalent causative agent (74.4%) followed by Trichophyton soudanense (5.8%), T. rubrum (3.9%) and Epidermophyton floccosum (3.9%). Other species identified were one isolate each of T. tonsurans, T. mentagrophytes, T. verrucosum, Candida tropicalis, Candida spec. and Geotrichum candidum.