Increasing tinea capitis prevalence in Stockholm reflects immigration

The aim was to describe the mycological and clinical data in children diagnosed with tinea capitis in a hospital setting in Stockholm. Information concerning demography, symptoms, mycology and treatment were obtained, retrospectively, from medical records of all children up to 15 years of age diagnosed with tinea capitis during two 3-year periods, 1989--1991 and 1999--2001, at the Pediatric Dermatology Unit of the Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm. Between 1989 and 1991, five children were diagnosed with tinea capitis. Between 1999 and 2001, there were 92 children, the vast majority (86%) being of foreign extraction, mostly African (83%). Trichophyton violaceum was the most prevalent pathogen, affecting 68% of the children. Of the anthropophilic infections, 62% were linked to relatives. In 71% of all positive cultures, microscopy was positive. The most common clinical findings were scaling of the scalp (80%), itching (54%) and patches of alopecia (52%). The treatment consisted of the oral antimycotics terbinafine (n = 48) or griseofulvin (n = 49). During the last decade there has been an increase in tinea capitis in Stockholm, most commonly caused by Trichophyton violaceum, corresponding with the increased immigration from Africa. Spread within the family seems to be of importance, and family members are preferably screened in an effort to prevent continued transmission. It is important to bear the diagnosis of tinea capitis in mind, especially as, untreated, some cases can develop permanent alopecia and may also cause further spreading of this infection.