Tinea Capitis in Benghazi, Libya

Mycologic examination of 402 cases of tinea capitis in Benghazi showed Trichophyton rubrum to be the most common isolate, followed by T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, and T. violaceum. The clinical presentation of tinea capitis is discussed, and attention is drawn to the seborrheic type, which is easily confused with dandruff.     

Pediculosis Capitis in Benghazi, Libya

A school survey of pediculosis capitis in Benghazi, Libya, revealed an alarmingly high prevalence of 78.6%. The percentage of infestation was 67.2% for boys and 88.1% for girls. It was more frequent in schools located in rural areas (85.55%) as compared with those in urban areas (44.28%). There was no significant difference in infestation in younger and older children of either sex. Besides other factors for such a high prevalence, the lack of health education of family members may play a crucial role in transference and louse infestation.     

Tinea capitis

Tinea capitis is a widespread scalp infection in children caused by dermatophytes. In fact, it is the most common cutaneous mycosis in children but is uncommon in adults. The disease has been major public health concern for decades. Some factors implicated in infection include poor personal hygiene, crowded living conditions, and low socioeconomic status. It can be caused by any pathogenic dermatophyte except for Epidermophyton floccosum and Trichophyton concentricum. Trichophyton rubrum, the most commonly isolated dermatophyte worldwide, is rarely the causative agent of this infection. Tinea capitis is a classic example of the changing geographic patterns of dermatophytosis. In developed countries, Trichophyton tonsurans is the most common causative agent, whereas in developing countries such as Mexico, the most common agent is Microsporum canis followed by Trichophyton tonsurans. The increasing incidence of tinea capitis warranted a review of the current literature and treatment strategies.     

Tinea capitis

Tinea capitis (TC) is a common fungal infection of the scalp, hair follicles, and hair shafts that can affect any age group but is particularly common in schoolchildren. The prevalence of TC has risen in the past 2 decades. Griseofulvin, the gold standard of therapy, does not cure about 20% of patients with TC, which has led to recent clinical trials on alternative agents for TC. This article reviews the pertinent new advances in the understanding of the disease and its therapy.     

Tinea capitis in Tripoli

Mycological examination of 600 cases of tinea capitis in Tripoli showed Trichophyton violaceum to be the most common isolate, followed by Microsporum canis, Trichophyton schoenleinii and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The various clinical patterns which scalp ringworm may present is discussed and attention is drawn to the relatively common non-inflammatory seborrhoeic or dry scaly pattern.     

Tinea capitis in eastern Nepal

BACKGROUND: Tinea capitis is an increasing public health concern throughout the world. The clinical types and etiological agents vary from time to time and place to place. This study was undertaken to identify the etiological agents and to determine the clinico-etiological correlation of tinea capitis in eastern Nepal. METHODS: Sixty-nine clinically diagnosed cases of tinea capitis were enrolled in this study. Hair roots and skin scrapings were collected from each patient and subjected to microscopy and culture for identification of fungal hyphae and spores. RESULTS: Tinea capitis accounted for 4.6% of all dermatophyte infections: 68.1% occurred in patients below the age of 11 years with a male to female ratio of 1 : 1.9. "Gray patch" was the most common clinical type (52.2%), followed by "black dot" (17.4%), seborrhoeic dermatitis (13%), alopecia areata (11.6%) and pustular (4.3%). Direct microscopy of hair was positive in 62.3% of patients. Culture positivity was found in 56.7% of patients. Common isolated organisms were Trichophyton violaceum (48.71%), T. mentagrophytes (15.38%), T. tonsurans (12.82%), Microsporum canis (7.69%), T. rubrum and M. gypseum (5.12% each), and M. audouinii and M. nanum (2.56% each). CONCLUSIONS: Trichophyton violaceum was the most common pathogen of tinea capitis. The clinical manifestations were variable and "gray patch" was the most common clinical presentation in this part of the world.     

Tinea capitis in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa

Tinea capitis is the most common dermatophyte infection in children. The hair involvement can be classified as endothrix, ectothrix, or favus, and the clinical appearance is variable. The goal of this study was to determine the demography, etiology, and clinical patterns of tinea capitis in South Africa. A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted over a 1-year period. All cases were classified clinically and subject to Wood light examination, microscopy, and culture. One hundred patients were studied. The male:female ratio was 1.4:1. The mean age was 4.6 years (range 1-11 years). Trichophyton violaceum was isolated in 90% of positive cultures. Wood light was positive in one patient with Microsporum gypseum. The most common clinical variety was the "black dot" type, seen in 50% of patients. Twenty percent of the children presented with more than one clinical type simultaneously. We concluded that the most common cause of tinea capitis in South Africa is T. violaceum. The presentation is variable.     

Tinea capitis in adults in Tunisia

Objective To determine the pattern of infectious agents causing tinea capitis (TC) in adult patients in adult patients in Tunisia. Methods From January 1990 to December 2005, we retrospectively collected all cases of adult TC, confirmed by the mycological examination. Results Sixty patients (18 male, 42 female) with a mean age of 34.5 years were diagnosed as having adult TC among a total number of 1137 cases of TC (5.27%). Clinical features were polymorphic and diagnosis was made on mycological examination. Culture identified Trichophyton violaceum in 36 cases (60%), Microsporum canis in 12 cases (20%), Trichophyton schoenleini in 7 cases (12%), Trichophyton verrucosum in two cases (3.5%), and Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum in one case (each 1.77%). Culture was negative in one case. Treatment consisted of administration of Griseofulvin at the dose of 20–25 mg/kg/d during 6–8 weeks associated with antifungal topics. A complete recovery was noted in 55 cases and relapse occurred in two patients. A scary alopecia was observed in one patient and two patients were lost to follow‐up. Conclusion Trichophyton violaceum remains the most common etiological agent of adult TC in Tunisia. Microsporum canis is rising rapidly most notably due to the high frequency of asymptomatic carriage by domestic animals.     

Tinea capitis: current concepts

Tinea capitis is an important fungal infection that may at times be a clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. It is common in childhood around the world, becoming almost epidemic in some communities. The central European and American experience with it is somewhat variable, due to different etiologic fungi. The use of topical antifungal agents and other approaches is stressed as of value alongside the use of systemic antifungal medication.     

Tinea capitis: trends in Spain

Considerable information is available on the changing incidence, etiology, clinical forms and management of tinea capitis in Spain. While the condition became epidemic during the 19th century, when it was predominantly caused by anthropophilic dermatophytes, the incidence fell with the advent of treatment with griseofulvin, after which zoophilic dermatophytes became the main etiologic agents. Although the true incidence of tinea capitis in Spain today is unknown, the condition continues to be a public health problem. Ongoing changes are evident in the greater diversity of pathogenic species identified and a renewed increase in anthropophilic dermatophytes, especially associated with immigration. Consequently, unless action is taken to correctly diagnose, treat, and prevent this infection, its prevalence may once again reach epidemic proportions in the near future.     

Tinea capitis: a review

Tinea capitis causes hair loss, scaling, erythema, and impetigo-like lesions. It is the most common dermatophyte infection found in children under the age of 12, especially in African Americans. A good knowledge and understanding of the dosages, duration, and potential side effects of different antifungals is important for managing tinea capitis.     

S1 guidelines: Tinea capitis

Tinea capitis describes a dermatophyte infection of scalp and hair that predominately occurs in children. The diagnostic workup includes microscopic examination, culture and/or molecular tests. Treatment is guided by the specific organism involved and should consist of systemic agents as well as adjuvant topical treatment. The aim of the present update of the interdisciplinary German S1 guidelines is to provide dermatologists, pediatricians and general practitioners with a decision tool for selecting and implementing appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures in patients with tinea capitis. The guidelines were developed based on current international guidelines, in particular the 2010 European Society for Pediatric Dermatology guidelines and the 2014 British Association of Dermatologists guidelines, as well as on a review of the literature conducted by the guideline committee. This multidisciplinary committee consists of representatives from the German Society of Dermatology (DDG), the German‐Speaking Mycological Society (DMykG), the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM), the German Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ) and the German Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases (DGPI). The Division of Evidence‐based Medicine (dEBM) provided methodological assistance. The guidelines were approved by the participating medical societies following a comprehensive internal and external review.