Tinea Capitis in Three Adults

Three cases of tinea capitis in healthy adults are presented. In light of the very low incidence (less than 1%) of tinea capitis in nonimmunocompromised adults and the possibility of contagion from asymptomatic dermatophyte carriers in the pediatric and adult populations, the necessity for heightened clinical suspicion and diagnostic tenacity in the evaluation of adults with scalp dermatitis and/or alopecia for possible tinea capitis is underscored.     

Tinea Capitis in Adults in Southern Taiwan

We report the clinicomycologic study of 27 culture-proven cases of tinea capitis from southern Taiwan during the years 1988 to 1990. The series is notable for its predominance of adults (63%), of women (89%), and of Trichophyton violaceum infection (74%). The age distribution was clearly bimodal; the median age was 6 years for children and 56 years for adults (older than 18 years). Whether or not these findings represent a new trend of tinea capitis in southern Taiwan remains to be determined. Clinically, our cases of black-dot ringworm caused by T. violaceum often presented with subtle changes of scaling, hair loss, and black dots. The keys to the correct diagnosis are (1) a high clinical index of suspicion with careful inspection of the scalp for the presence of black dots, and (2) microscopic examination and culturing of the black dots or plucked hairs.     

Tinea Capitis

A study of 50 patients with tinea capitis revealed that it affects school children of low socioeconomic status. Clinical diagnosis of grey patch, black dot, seborrheic, kerion, and pustular inflammatory varieties was made. In all, 37 cultures were positive for dermatophytes, wherein most were Trichophyton violaceum. Some grew T. rubrum, T. mentagropytes, and T. verrucosum. A correlation between the clinical variants and fungi was also attempted.     

Tinea Capitis

Abstract: A study of 50 patients with tinea capitis revealed that it affects school children of low socioeconomic status. Clinical diagnosis of grey patch, black dot, seborrheic, kerion, and pustular inflammatory varieties was made. In all, 37 cultures were positive for dermatophytes, wherein most were Trichophyton violaceum. Some grew T. rubrum, T. mentagropytes, and T. verrucosum. A correlation between the clinical variants and fungi was also attempted.     

Pediatric Tinea Capitis

Tinea capitis (ringworm of the head) is the most common dermatophytosis of childhood with an increasing incidence worldwide. If suspected clinically, further diagnostic procedures, including direct microscopy and culture, should be performed. Other scalp alterations, such as seborrheic dermatitis, atopic eczema, psoriasis, alopecia areata, folliculitis, and pseudopelade, may mimic ringworm of the head and must be identified. A proven fungal infection of scalp skin and hairs warrants immediate initiation of systemic treatment. At present, only oral griseofulvin is approved for therapy of scalp ringworm in children by health authorities. However, the advent of several newer antifungal agents such as itraconazole, fluconazole, and terbinafine has broadened the therapeutic armamentarium in recent years. These agents offer shorter treatment intervals, and their adverse effects and drug interaction profiles appear to be well within acceptable limits. In patients with tinea capitis, systemic therapy at weight-dependent dosages for an appropriate amount of time in conjunction with topical supportive measures will help to prevent disfiguring hair loss, permanent formation of scar tissue, spread of fungal organisms to other cutaneous regions, and infection of other persons.     

Tinea Capitis in Philadelphia

From 1962 to 1979, there was a dramatic change in tinea capitis infections in children in the Philadelphia area. This has been primarily due to the virtual disappearance of tinea capitis due to Microsporum organisms. This dramatic change in a common, highly infectious childhood disease is most likely due to a sudden change in hair styles, particularly in black boys, which prevents infectious spores from reaching the scalp.     

Tinea Capitis Mimicking Dissecting Cellulitis

Tinea capitis is a common disease of childhood that typically follows one of several clinical patterns. Our patient and several previously reported cases demonstrate the existence of a dissecting cellulitis‐like presentation of tinea capitis. This variant should be recognized to prevent misdiagnosis of dissecting cellulitis and allow proper treatment to prevent scarring alopecia.     

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.     

Tinea Capitis Caused by Trichophyton tonsurans

Children with tinea capitis caused by Trichophyton tonsurans often have a lifetime of association with the organism and, in spite of intermittent therapy, as adults pass the infection to successive generations. While most current treatment regimens are directed at treating the individual patient, our study supports the need to evaluate and possibly treat all family members and their home environment.     

Tinea Capitis in the United Arab Emirates

ABSTRACT: The authors reviewed the causative agents for tinea capitis in United Arab Emirates nationals attending Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, between 1981 and 1988. Microsporum canis was the most prevalent organism isolated. Oral griseofulvin remained the treatment of choice. The addition of isotretinoin appeared promising in the chronic inflammatory forms.     

Tinea Capitis: Fluconazole in Trichophyton tonsurans Infection

Abstract: Tinea capitis is the most common dermatophyte infection in children. Trichophyton tonsurans is the most common etiologic agent in the United States, and for more than four decades the standard therapy has been griseofulvin. The availability of newer, and often more effective, antifungal drugs creates the opportunity for choice and the ability to optimally tailor treatment for a particular patient. Fluconazole is an azole antifungal drug available in a pleasant, well-tolerated, liquid formulation ideal for the pediatric population. It has a good safety profile and is approved in the United States for use in children, although not for tinea capitis. We present five patients with tinea capitis successfully treated with fluconazole.     

Mycologic Study of Tinea Capitis In Qatar

The causative dermatophytic species of tinea capitis were identified in 91 patients in Qatar. Microsporum canis was the most common isolated organism (86.81%) followed by Microsporum ferrugineum and Trichophyton violaceum. A gray patch type of tinea capitis was the predominant presentation (87.91%), and the disease was more prevalent among Qatari boys.     

Terbinafine Pulse Therapy Is Effective in Tinea Capitis

Abstract: Terbinafine pulse therapy was found to be effective and safe in the treatment of tinea capitis in an open study of 13 children (age range 3–13 years, mean 6.4 years, 7 males, 6 females, Tricohphyton tonsurans 7 patients, T. violaceum 6 patients). Each pulse of active therapy lasted 1 week with a 2 weeks off period between the first two pulses and a 3 weeks off period between the second and third pulses of treatment. The dosage of terbinafine was determined by the weight of the child: > 40 kg, 250 mg/day, 20 to 40 kg, 125 mg/day and < 20 kg, 62.5 mg/day. Twelve (92.3%) of 13 children achieved complete clinical and mycological cure when evaluated 12 weeks after starting therapy with the number of pulses for complete (clinical and mycological) cure being one pulse (two patients with mild severity of tinea capitis), two pulses (four patients with mild disease) and three pulses (mild disease: two patients, moderate disease: two patients, and severe disease: three patients). One child with moderate severity disease failed to clear after three pulses of terbinafine. There were no adverse effects observed in any of the 13 patients during the course of therapy. All the parents found it easy to administer therapy and the compliance was high.     

Itraconazole Responsive Tinea Capitis in an HIV-infected Child

Abstract: Tinea capitis has not been reported to be a prevalent or serious affliction in pediatric patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We report tinea capitis due to Microsporum canis in a boy Infected with HIV. After falling conventional therapy, he was treated successfully with a four-week course of itraconazole. His immunologic status improved during therapy. The possible relationship of this response to the ultimate resolution of disease is discussed.     

南阳地区头癣病原菌种类分析

目的了解近2年来南阳地区头癣的发病情况及病原菌的分布情况。方法回顾性分析2002年5月～2004年4月在南阳市中心医院皮肤科门诊诊治的头癣患者资料。结果96例头癣患者中白癣85例(88.54%),黄癣8例(8.33%),黑癣3例(3.13%);85例白癣中继发脓癣11例(12.94%)。95例真菌培养阳性患者中,主要病原菌为犬小孢子菌71株(74.74%),紫色毛癣菌4株(4.21%),须癣毛癣菌13株(13.68%),许兰毛癣菌7株(7.37%)。其中须癣毛癣菌中8株为毛型,5株为粉型。84株白癣病原菌(85例患者中1例培养阴性除外)中犬小孢子菌占84.52%(71/84),须癣毛癣菌占15.48%(13/84)。结论南阳地区头癣中白癣发病率占首位,犬小孢子菌为主要致病菌。     

Tinea Capitis in a Newborn Caused by Two Organisms

Abstract: Tinea capitis is a common infection of childhood. There have been several reports of tinea capitis in newborns. Our patient presented at 19 days of age to the emergency room with a scalp lesion of 5 days duration. The fungal culture grew both Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophyles. The patient was successfully treated with oral griseofulvin.     

川北地区296例头癣临床分析

目的了解近十年来川北地区头癣的发病情况及病原菌分布情况。方法对1999年8月～2009年7月在本院皮肤科门诊诊治的头癣患者资料进行回顾性分析。结果289例真菌培养阳性患者中白癣244例(84.43%),黄癣18例(6.23%),黑点癣5例(1.73%),脓癣22例(7.61%);真菌培养结果显示,主要病原菌为犬小孢子菌178株(61.59%),紫色毛癣菌22株(7.61%),石膏样小孢子菌21株(7.27%),断发毛癣菌21株(7.27%),须癣毛癣菌24株(8.30%),许兰毛癣菌18株(6.23%),红色毛癣菌2株(0.69%),疣状毛癣菌3株(1.04%)。结论川北地区头癣中白癣发病占首位,犬小孢子茵为主要致病菌。