Tinea capitis: study of asymptomatic carriers and sick adolescents, adults and elderly who live with children with the disease

Abstract

Tinea capitis is a dermatophyte infection that occurs mainly in childhood; there are few reports, in Brazil, in adolescents and adults. The detection of asymptomatic carriers is of great importance in the disease control. From February 1998 to February 1999, a study was performed at the outpatient Dermatologic Unit of Instituto de Puericultura e Pediatria Martagão Gesteira (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil) to verify the frequency of asymptomatic carriers and tinea capitis between 79 adolescents, adults and elderly who lived in the same household of 56 children (0-12 years) with tinea capitis. Of these, one female and one male adults (2.5%) were asymptomatic carriers and the cultures revealed Trichophyton tonsurans and Microsporum canis respectively. One female adolescent and two female adults (3.8%) had tinea capitis and all cultures revealed Trichophyton tonsurans. The study has shown that adolescents and adults who live in the same household of children with tinea capitis may be sick or asymptomatic carriers.

A nationwide survey of Trichophyton tonsurans infection among combat sport club members in Japan using a questionnaire form and the hairbrush method

“…These findings strongly suggest that Japan faces an increasing risk for outbreak of the infection. [6][7][8] Results of mass screening examinations described in earlier reports showed the prevalence of tinea corporis by T. tonsurans to be higher than expected, [9][10][11][12][13][14] underscoring the need for vigilance in monitoring this disease. Although a mass screening examination is the most reliable method for surveillance of some diseases, it is not realistically possible to screen the members of limited cohorts such as combat sports clubs.…”

Tinea Capitis: An Adult Invasion of a Childhood Scourge

“…Adults are mostly reported as being asymptomatic carriers of tinea capitis in households where the children are infected [7]. Dermatophyte infection of the scalp usually ceases at puberty due to increase in the fungistatic saturated fatty acid production as demonstrated by Rothman et al [8].…”

Microepidemia familiar por Trichophyton tonsurans

“…3 In children and infants the infection is characteristic and clinically important, especially due to hormonal immaturity.…”

“…4,5,6,7 In Brazil, we observed predominance of isolation of this fungus in the North and Northeast regions, but it is also isolated as agent of scalp tinea in different regions of the country, as the Southeast and South. 1,2,3,8,9 This report presents a case of family microepidemic by T. tonsurans involving all of the members of a family where, despite excellent hygienic conditions, the fungus remained viable for several years.…”

“…1,2,3 The integrity of the epidermis behaves as a natural barrier. However, the efficiency of fungal dispersion is closely related to the high production of elements of dissemination, with local humidity a prerequisite for inoculation and survival of the dermatophyte in the skin.…”