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Tinea capitis in a paediatric population.
B C Hackett1, K O'Connell, M Cafferkey
1Department of Dermatology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin. drchackett@gmail.com
Irish Medical Journal
|February 6, 2007
Summary
Tinea capitis, a fungal infection, is increasingly prevalent in Europe, predominantly caused by Trichophyton tonsurans. Children of African descent are at higher risk, indicating a need for greater public health awareness and diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Mycology
- Public Health
Background:
- Tinea capitis is a growing concern in Europe, with a shift towards anthropophilic dermatophytes like Trichophyton tonsurans.
- Understanding the changing epidemiology and clinical presentation is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of tinea capitis in pediatric dermatology outpatients.
- To analyze the clinical spectrum and causative pathogens of tinea capitis in this population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of laboratory-proven tinea capitis cases over an 18-month period (January 2004 - June 2005).
- Data collected included patient demographics, clinical signs, causative agents, and treatment history.
Main Results:
- Sixty-two pediatric cases were identified, with 85.5% of African descent.
- Trichophyton tonsurans was the most common pathogen (75.8%), followed by Microsporum ferrugineum (12.9%).
- Common presentations included scalp scaling and alopecia; average symptom duration was 8.38 months, with many patients receiving inadequate treatment.
Conclusions:
- Tinea capitis prevalence is increasing, with Trichophyton tonsurans as the primary pathogen.
- Children of African descent are disproportionately affected, highlighting a public health issue requiring improved diagnosis and awareness.
- Further community-based prevalence studies are recommended.
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