Ann Dermatol.  2017 Feb;29(1):13-19. 10.5021/ad.2017.29.1.13.

Changing in the Epidemiology of Tinea Capitis among School Children in Egypt

• Bassyouni
• El-Sherbiny NA
• Abd El Raheem TA
• Mohammed B

• KMID: 2368022
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2017.29.1.13

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Tinea capitis remains a prevalent health problem among school-aged children.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of tinea capitis among primary school students, in Fayoum, Egypt with identification of etiological agents in both public and private primary schools.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted in twelve primary schools. The students were selected from different grades with a total number of 12,128 students. Hair and scalp were clinically examined for any lesions that may suspect tinea capitis and mycological samples were collected for direct microscopy and culture.
RESULTS
The prevalence of tinea capitis in the study group was 0.4% and higher in public than private schools (73.5% versus 26.5% respectively). Boys were more affected than girls with boy to girls' ratio 5:1. Intrafamily history of infection was present in 40.8% of tested group while 51% showed low social standard profile. Mycological culture revealed that Microsporum canis was the predominant isolated organism followed by M. audouinii (52% and 36% respectively).
CONCLUSION
M. canis is replacing Trichophyton violaceum as an etiology for tinea capitis in Egypt with lower prevalence rate than reported previously.

Keyword

Epidemiology; Microsporum canis; School students; Tinea capitis

MeSH Terms

Child*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Egypt*
Epidemiology*
Female
Hair
Humans
Male
Microscopy
Microsporum
Prevalence
Scalp
Tinea Capitis*
Tinea*
Trichophyton

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 The different types detected of the tinea capitis lesions. (A) Scaly type. (B) Black dot type. (C) Scaly & black dot type.

• 

  Fig. 2 Isolated dermatophytes. (A) Microsporum canis on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). (B) M. audouinii on SDA. (C) Microscopic picture showing macroconidia of M. canis. (D) Microscopic picture showing pectinate bodies of M. audouinii.

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