A Clinical and Mycological Study of Tinea Faciale

Yim, Seon Mi; Choi, Yong Beam; Ahn, Kyu Joong

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Tinea faciale is a dermatophyte infection of glabrous skin of the face except bearded areas of the adult male. Tinea faciale usually has been classified as tinea corporis but recently recognized as a separate disease entity. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation of clinical and mycological features of tinea faciale. METHODS: We performed clinical and mycological study on 46 cases of tinea faciale at the department of dermatology, Konkuk University Hospital from September 2001 to August 2004. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: 1. The age distribution of patients was highest in the age group of 10 years or under (34.8%). The ratio of male to female patient was 1: 1.4. The seasonal distribution of patients was highest in autumn. 2. Among 46 cases, dermatophytes were isolated in 37 cases. They were Trichophyton (T.) rubrum (19 cases), Microsporum (M.) canis (9 cases), T. mentagrophytes (6 cases), M. gypseum (2 cases), and Epidermophyton (E.) floccosum (1 case). 3. Although there was no notable discrepancies among the age groups, in both T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes. M. canis was found to be more frequent as the main causative organism in the age group of 10 years or under. According to seasonal variation, there were no significant differences among T. rubrum species. M. canis was seen more frequently during winter season, and T. mentagrophytes in spring. 4. There were no significant difference in clinical variations of tinea faciale according to the type of dermatophytes. Coexisting fungal infections were found in 10 patients and tinia corporis was most frequently.