Summary Background Tinea capitis (TC) is an infection of the scalp hair due to dermatophytes. Most commonly seen in prepubescent children, but data of adults tinea capitis (ATC) in China mainland are limited. Objectives We aimed to evaluate epidemiological, clinical and mycological characteristics of ATC in China from 2000 to 2019. Methods We retrospectively analysed all ATC reported cases in China mainland, confirmed by mycological examination, by searching PubMed, Wanfang, Weipu and CNKI database. Results In sum, 40 papers involving 269 clinical cases were included. The average morbidity of ATC was calculated as 9.04% after standardisation. The sex ratio is 1:5.2 (31 male, 163 female); 76 people between 18 and 44 age level and 137 people between 45 and 89 age level were diagnosed as ATC. Culture or ITS sequencing identified Trichophyton violaceum in 70 cases (35.2%), Microsporum canis in 42 cases (21.1%), Trichophyton mentagrophyte in 32 cases (16.1%), Trichophyton rubrum in 23 cases (11.5%), Microsporum gypseum in 18 cases (9.0%), Trichophyton tonsurans in 6 cases (3.0%), Trichophyton schoenleini in 4 cases (2.0%), Epidermophyton floccosum in 2 cases (1.0%), Trichophyton verrucosum and Microsporum ferrugineum in one case (0.5%). ATC was easily to be diagnosed as furfur, seborrhoeic dermatitis (13%) or pustular and dermatocellulitis (11.15%).Six immunocompromised persons were recorded (2.2%). Conclusions ATC mainly involves postmenopausal women. Trichophyton violaceum, M canis, T mentagrophyte remain the most common aetiological agent of ATC in China. Trichophyton rubrum own the much higher frequency in ATC than in children. For diversified clinical manifestations, recognising ATC profiles will help clinicians avoid misdiagnosis.

We report a case of imported pulmonary coccidioidomycosis caused by Coccidioides posadasii in a patient who was misdiagnosed as tuberculosis and mistreated with antituberculosis medications for 18 months. The symptoms were not relieved until antifungal treatment was started. An extensive review of the coccidioidomycosis cases occurring in China reveals 38 cases, 16 of which had no associated history of travel to any traditional endemic areas. We speculate that some factors may drive Coccidioides spp. transference to China, which then causes those domestic infections. Moreover, we indicate the first, to the best of our knowledge, possible endemic areas in China.

We report a case of primary cutaneous mucormycosis caused by Mucor irregularis. A 66-year-old man was presented to our hospital with a history of gradually enlarging plaque on the right leg for about a year. The identification of pathogen based on the fungus morphology and DNA sequencing revealed M. irregularis as the responsible fungus for skin lesion. The lesion was removed incidentally by a surgery procedure, and no recrudescence was seen during a follow-up of 24-month observation.