pISSN : 1226-4709 eISSN: 2465-8278
Open Access, Peer-reviewed
pISSN : 1226-4709 eISSN: 2465-8278
Open Access, Peer-reviewed
Sang Min Kim,Yang Won Lee,Kyu Joong Ahn
Epub 2016 February 19
Abstract
Background: The incidence of tinea capitis was the least in the middle of 1970s, and thereafter it has been markedly increased along with other superficial mycoses due to Microsporum canis. But the incidence and causative dermatophytes of tinea capitis has been changed with time and location.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the recent clinical and mycological trends of tinea capitis in Seoul area.
Method: We performed clinical and mycological study on 35 cases of tinea capitis which have been diagnosed by KOH examination or fungus culture at the department of dermatology, Konkuk University Hospital from 2001 to 2006.
Results: The incidence of tinea capitis was 2.9% of 1,205 superficial fungal infections. The ratio of male to female patients was 1:1.19. 20 patients (57.1%) were children under the age of 15, and 15 patients (42.9%) were the age of 15 to 80. The most common site of tinea capitis was parietal. Tinea faciale was combined in 9 cases (69.2%). In clinical features, the gray patch type was showed in 60%, seborreic dermatitis-like lesion in 17.1%, pustular folliculitis-like in 11.4%, and kerion celsi in 11.4% of patients with tinea capitis. Microsporum(M) canis was the most common causative fungi of tinea capitis (82.1%), with Trichophyton(T) rubrum (14.3%), T. mentagraphytes var. mentagraphytes (3.6%)
in the order of decreasing frequency.
Conclusion: As evidenced above, contrary to traditional concept that tinea capitis affects predominantly male children, there was no significant difference between two sexes in prevalence, and the frequency was 34.4% in adults, which is a significantly high figure compared to the past. While the most common causative fungi of tinea capitis was M. canis, T. rubrum and T. mentagraphytes var. mentagraphytes were recovered in 18% of cases, which suggests these two fungi must be kept under constant surveillance. Also among diagnostic measure, fungus culture showed 80% of positive rate, which makes it an essential tool for accurate diagnosis.
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