Prevalence of tinea capitis in southern Kuwait

Abstract

Tinea capitis of the scalp, an infection caused by dermatophytes, produces a significant health problem especially among school children. The object of this study was to highlight the prevalence of tinea capitis in southern Kuwait. During this retrospective study from 1998 to 2003, 1737 suspected cases were examined, 986 (58.6%) were men and 751 (43.2%) were women of which 371 cases were diagnosed as tinea capitis. Of 371 cases of tinea capitis, males comprised 54.2% and females 45.8%. Young children (up to age five) were more frequently infected than other age groups, grey type lesions were more common than other types. Microsporum canis was the most common organism noticed with 62.5% followed by Trichophyton violaceum with 19.3%, Trichophyton tonsurans with 13.1%, while Trichophyton rubrum was the least common. Tinea capitis of scalp is a significant health problem in southern Kuwait especially among young children of school age. The spread of infection can be prevented by health education, proper diagnosis and treatment.

Tinea capitis in adults in Tunisia

“…2 In a retrospective study from southern Kuwait, among 371 cases of TC, the leading species was M. canis (62.5%) followed by T. violaceum (19.3%) and T. tonsurans (13.1%). 17 In Tunisia, the review of different previous studies shows a modification of the causative agent profile of TC through the last 50 years. 3,5,18 Incidence of T. schoenleinii (agent of favus scutulum) has markedly decreased since the 1950 (from 33.6% in 1950 to 0.24% in recent reports).…”

Dermatophytes and other associated fungi in patients attending to some hospitals in Egypt

“…In Saudi Arabia, where the prevalence of tinea capitis is 22%, the principal causative agent is M. canis ( Abanmi et al , 2008 ). In Kuwait, M. canis is the predominant dermatophyte isolated in 62.5% of cases, followed by T. violaceum in 19.3% and T. tonsurans in 13.1% ( Razzaq Adel et al , 2007 ).…”

Inflammatory Tinea capitis: a 12‐year study and a review of the literature

“…[47][48][49] In south and central Asia, T. violaceum is the most common causative agent of TC, whereas M. canis is predominated in western Asia. 50,51 In east Asia (China), the most common species causing TC was T. violaceum followed by T. verrucosum. 52 The various organisms causing TC may present with different clinical patterns, which depend on the type of hair invasion and the degree of inflammatory host response.…”