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Tinea capitis among children in the Columbus area, Ohio, USA

Jacquelyn R Coloe1, Mohammad Diab, Jessica Moennich

  • 1College of Medicine, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.

Mycoses
|March 24, 2009
PubMed

Insights

This study found Trichophyton tonsurans to be the most common cause of tinea capitis (scalp fungal infection) in children. African American children in urban areas were most affected by this common scalp infection.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Tinea capitis is a common fungal infection affecting scalp hair follicles.
  • Traditional causative agents in the US include Trichophyton tonsurans and Microsporum canis.
  • Understanding current etiological patterns and risk factors is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalent fungal organisms responsible for tinea capitis.
  • To identify demographic and environmental factors associated with tinea capitis infection.
  • To update epidemiological data on tinea capitis in the United States.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of patient records with positive scalp cultures for tinea capitis.
  • Data collected from May 2001 to May 2006 at Nationwide Children's Hospital.
  • Statistical analyses including descriptive statistics, frequency analysis, chi-squared, and Student's t-test were employed.

Main Results:

  • 189 patient records with confirmed tinea capitis were analyzed.
  • Trichophyton tonsurans was the predominant organism, identified in 88.9% of cases.
  • Trichophyton violaceum (4.2%) and Trichophyton soudanense were also isolated, with higher prevalence in African Americans and urban populations (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Trichophyton tonsurans remains the leading cause of tinea capitis.
  • Tinea capitis disproportionately affects African American children residing in urban settings.
  • The isolation of less common species like T. violaceum and T. soudanense highlights evolving etiological patterns.

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