Pediatric Tinea Faciei in Southern Spain: A 30‐Year Survey

Abstract

Tinea faciei (TF) is a common clinical form of tinea in children that is frequently misdiagnosed and treated with corticosteroids. No large case series of TF focusing on children have been published. The aim of this study was to analyze the main epidemiologic, clinical, and microbiologic features of TF in children over a period of 30 years and compare these features with those of other tineas. We undertook a retrospective study of 818 cases of tinea in children at a referral hospital in southern Spain, diagnosed between 1977 and 2006, concentrating for this study on TF. Of the 73 cases of TF diagnosed, 50.7% were in girls. Most children (46.6%) were 4 to 9 years old. At the time of diagnosis, 29.2% of the cases had been treated with topical steroids. The most frequently isolated dermatophyte was Trichophyton mentagrophytes, which was isolated significantly more frequently in TF than in the other tineas. Cases of TF in children were not extremely unusual, emphasizing that TF must be considered in children with inflammatory facial eruptions. This consideration and the more-frequent use of mycologic tests can help achieve the correct diagnosis, when present.

Tinea capitis and tinea faciei in the Zurich area – an 8‐year survey of trends in the epidemiology and treatment patterns

“…The number of cases, however, is relatively small to draw a firm conclusion on the development of the incidence. Nonetheless, our findings are consistent with other studies in which the incidence of tinea faciei remained constant; 10,17 whereas in case of tinea capitis an increase has been recorded by a majority of reports in the past decade. 3,4,13,14 While in Central, Eastern and most Mediterranean European countries M. canis is still considered the most common causative agent, 14 a shift towards anthropophilic species, such as T. violaceum, T. tonsurans or M. audouinii has been observed mainly in urban areas of Europe, e.g.…”

“…In this study, zoophilic species accounted for the majority (73%) of isolates and in 45% of these cases close contact to animals (mainly cats and guinea pigs) was reported, as described in other studies. 6,8,10 The predominant organism was found to be T. interdigitale, similarly as in Spain, where T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes was predominant.…”

“…4 Differential diagnoses of tinea faciei are lupus erythematosus, seborrheic dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, rosacea, contact dermatitis, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. 7,10 The epidemiology of tinea capitis has changed over the past decades. An increasing incidence has been noted and it has reached epidemic proportions in some parts of the world.…”

“…14 However, the prevalence of tinea faciei remained constant over the past years. 10,17 The aetiological agent of tinea faciei varies depending on geographical location. In the United States, T. tonsurans, T. rubrum and M. canis are the dominant species, 7 whereas in Italy it is M. canis, 6,8 and in Switzerland the most reported causal agent of tinea faciei is T. rubrum ahead of T. mentagrophytes.…”

Tinea faciei on the right eyebrow caused by Trichophyton interdigitale

“…In tinea faciei, the fungus is the most frequently isolated dermatophyte, usually linked to contact with rabbits. 7 In China, T. interdigitale infections have increased significantly and are associated with animals. 8 The strain isolated from our case was macroscopically characterized by a beige, powdery surface and presented microscopically with numerous, thin-walled clavate macroconidia and round microconidia.…”