Tinea capitis in adults in Tunisia

Abstract

Trichophyton violaceum remains the most common etiological agent of adult TC in Tunisia. Microsporum canis is rising rapidly most notably due to the high frequency of asymptomatic carriage by domestic animals [corrected].

Tinea Capitis in Adults

“…We found a relative frequency of 2.6%; this data agrees with literature [2,4], even if there are reported cases of a higher prevalence [13]. The relative resistance of adult's hair to colonization by dermatophytes, probably due to the fungistatic properties of the long chains fatty acids of the sebum produced after puberty and unknown immunological factors, could explain the rareness of cases in the elderly [2,4,6].…”

“…Tinea capitis, or scalp ringworm, is the most common dermatophyte infection of the scalp [2], and it is estimated to represent 1% of all superficial fungal infections in northern and Western Europe [3].…”

“…The epidemiology of tinea capitis varies within different geographical areas in the world [2]; in Europe, the most frequent aetiological agents are M. canis [4], T. verrucosum (zoophilic species), T. tonsurans, T. violaceum and T. sudanense (anthropophilic species) [5]. Contaminations by some of these species are increasing because of immigration (e.g.…”

“…Tinea capitis mainly affects children and rarely adults [3,5] (less than 3% of all reported cases [2,10]). People catch the infection by contact with affected animals, other people or soil.…”

“…Clinically, tinea capitis is characterized by one to a few irregularly shaped, scaling and alopecic patches, in which the hair is broken off at a varying level from the hair follicle [1,2].…”