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Tinea capitis in infants less than 1 year of age
1Institute of Dermatological Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. mondelli@unisi.it
Insights
Tinea capitis, a common fungal infection in children, is frequently misdiagnosed in infants. This study details 15 infant cases, identifying causative fungi and sources, and confirming effective treatment.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
- Mycology
Background:
- Tinea capitis is the most common dermatophyte infection in children.
- It is rare in infants, leading to frequent misdiagnosis.
- This study focuses on tinea capitis in infants under one year old.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report and analyze cases of tinea capitis in infants.
- To identify the etiological agents and sources of infection in this age group.
- To evaluate treatment outcomes for infant tinea capitis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series of 15 infants diagnosed with tinea capitis.
- Diagnosis confirmed by mycological examination.
- Clinical and mycological data were collected.
Main Results:
- Fifteen infants (10 boys, 5 girls; mean age 6 months) were diagnosed with tinea capitis.
- Microsporum canis (9 cases) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (3 cases) were the most common isolates from Italian infants, often linked to animal contact.
- Trichophyton erinacei (1 case) was linked to soil exposure, while T. tonsurans and T. violaceum (2 cases) were acquired from human contact in non-Italian infants.
Conclusions:
- Tinea capitis can occur in infants, though it is uncommon.
- Prompt diagnosis and mycological confirmation are crucial for appropriate management.
- Systemic and topical antifungal therapy are effective in treating tinea capitis in infants.
Abstract:
Tinea capitis is the most frequent manifestation of dermatophyte infection in children, but because it is rare in the first months of life it is often misdiagnosed. Here we report 15 cases of tinea capitis observed in Italy in infants less than 1 year of age. There were 10 boys and 5 girls (mean age 6 months). Diagnosis was confirmed by mycologic examination. Microsporum canis was isolated in nine cases and Trichophyton mentagrophytes in three. These 12 infants were Italian and animals were the source of infection. Trichophyton erinacei was isolated in one Italian infant, and the source was soil. In the other two cases, Trichophyton tonsurans and Trichophyton violaceum were isolated; these infants were from Central America and India, respectively, and had contracted the infection from humans. All achieved clinical and mycologic recovery after systemic and topical antimycotic therapy.