Fungous and Bacterial Skin Infections in the Tropics.

Abstract

A bar soap containing Trichlorocarbanilide and Trifluorocarbanilide demonstrated no value in the prevention of common skin infections in a double blind study against plain soap bar, when used daily under supervision for two months. Lack of efficacy against Streptococcus pyogenes was confirmed by in vitro testing. Field studies in Costa Rica showed that most skin infections were of streptococcal etiology. Children below 10 years of age were most at risk, and children of all ages were at significantly higher risk below 300 M altitude. Sixty-eight (68%) of Staphylococcus aureus recovered from lesions were resistant to penicillin even in remote rural areas where pencillin was not available. Dermatophytosis and Tinea versicolor were confined to postpubertal age groups. The hazards of bacterial and parasitic skin infections of military importance can be more accurately predicted by surveys of native children than native adults. Anthropophilic dermatophyte infections should be studied in postpubertal populations, but inflammatory zoophilic infections are best studied in children. A mobile unit was shown to be a most effective way of conducting field epidemiology and research in rural populations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1976
Accession Number
ADA060211

Entities

People

  • David Taplin

Organizations

  • University of Miami

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Bacteria
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Fungi
  • Health Services
  • Infection
  • Infectious Skin Diseases
  • Medical Personnel
  • Mycoses
  • Skin Diseases
  • Wound Infections

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Immunology
  • Mathematics or Statistics
  • Vector-Borne Disease and Entomology