Related Experiment Videos

Tinea capitis in Diyarbakir, Turkey

N O Akpolat1, S Akdeniz, S Elci

  • 1Department of Microbiology, University Dicle, Diyarbakir, Turkey. nakpolat@dicle.edu.tr

Mycoses
|February 1, 2005
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated tinea capitis in children, finding it in 63.7% of cases. Trichophyton violaceum and Microsporum canis were the most common fungal agents identified.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Mycology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Tinea capitis is a common superficial fungal infection affecting the scalp, primarily in children.
  • Accurate identification of causative agents is crucial for effective treatment and public health management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence and spectrum of fungal agents causing tinea capitis in children aged 1-12 years.
  • To identify the most prevalent dermatophyte species responsible for scalp infections in the studied pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of laboratory records for children with a preliminary diagnosis of tinea capitis over a 5-year period.
  • Microscopic examination and fungal culture of scalp scrapings to identify causative agents.

Main Results:

  • Tinea capitis was diagnosed in 149 out of 234 (63.7%) referred children.
  • Fungal agents were successfully cultured in 124 (83.2%) of the confirmed cases.
  • The most frequent isolates were Trichophyton violaceum (43.6%) and Microsporum canis (37.9%), followed by T. mentagrophytes (8.1%) and T. verrucosum (4.8%).

Conclusions:

  • Tinea capitis is prevalent in pediatric populations presenting with suspected scalp infections.
  • Trichophyton violaceum and Microsporum canis are the predominant etiological agents of tinea capitis in this cohort, highlighting the need for targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Related Concept Videos

Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V

Medical management of tuberculosis (TB) patients involves a comprehensive approach that includes diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. The specific strategies can vary depending on the type of tuberculosis (latent or active), the patient's overall health status, and other considerations.
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the progression...
Antifungal Agents01:15

Antifungal Agents

Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...
Giardiasis01:12

Giardiasis

Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis). This flagellated protozoan is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and worldwide. Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route, with infection arising from ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts. Individuals in low-resource settings, international travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, daycare...