Bacteriological and epidemiological study of impetigo

Abstract

Impetigo is a common superficial purulent infection of skin caused by species of their Streptococcus or Staphylococcus. It can affect all age groups but particularly young children. Peak incidence occurs during summer and fall and the male-to-female ratio is equal. This infection tends to affect areas subject to environmental trauma, such as the extremities or the face. To study the bacteriological and epidemiological features of impetigo cases. A descriptive study conducted on patients who were attending outpatient clinic in Tikrit teaching hospital from the period from 1st September to the end of December year 2007. The study sample included (100) patients. The cases were diagnosed clinically and swabs from the site of infection were collected and send to lab for identification of pathogens. It has been documented that (75%) of cases were among children. The cases of impetigo were nearly similar in distribution among male and female (the ratio of male to female = 49/51=0.9). The cases of impetigo were more frequent in the exposed area of the body like face (48%) and extremities (29%). The most frequent pathogens isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (47%) and Streptococcus pyogenes (33%)