A study of tinea capitis in Sri Lanka

Between January 1978 and December 1987, 106 cases of tinea capitis were detected in Sri Lanka. Diagnosis was confirmed mycologically by microscopic examination and by culture. Tinea capitis accounted for 3.4% of all superficial fungal infections seen during this period. This figure is low when compared with the incidence of this disease reported in other countries. Five main types of clinical manifestation were encountered. Inflammatory lesions were observed in 50% of the patients. Eighty-five percent of infections occurred in children below 15 years of age and 76% in children under 10 years of age. The 6-10 year age group was the most vulnerable. The zoophilic fungi Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis and the geophilic species Microsporum gypseum were together responsible for 81% of tinea capitis infections, and the zoophilic fungus Trichophyton simii accounted for a further 10% of infections. It is postulated that the Sri Lankan custom of frequent head baths with soap and water, especially among children, may account in part for the low prevalence of tinea capitis in the community.