Tinea capitis in Botswana

Abstract

BackgroundTinea capitis (TC) is a common dermatophyte infection of the scalp that can also involve the eyebrows and eyelashes.AimThis study aimed to find the causative fungus responsible for TC in Botswana and determine its association with the clinical types of TC.MethodsSamples for potassium hydroxide 10% mounts and fungal cultures were collected in a microbiology laboratory at the National Health Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana. Dermasel agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar were inoculated with the samples. Lactophenol cotton blue mounts were prepared from the culture-positive samples to study the morphological characteristics.ResultsTrichophyton violaceum was found to be the predominant causative organism of TC. Trichophyton tonsurans was isolated from one patient. Both are anthropophilic species.ConclusionTC was found to be most common in those aged 1–15 years (81%). Of 17 patients in this age group, 16 were younger than 10 years old and one was 14 years old. T. violaceum was the most common dermatophyte species isolated.

Trichosporon asteroides: A novel ethiological agent of Kerion celsi in a child

“…The differential diagnosis from the bacterial pyoderma and abscess is very important because generally antifungal therapy is effective in the treatment. Causative species show variations among regions, the most reported agents are zoophilic dermatophytes (5,6) . Although Trichosporon species are the causative agents of cutaneous infections, there is no KC case associated with T. asteroides in the literature.…”

“…Although zoophilic dermatophytes (M. canis, T. verrucosum and T. interdigitale complex) are more common etiological agents, anthropophilic (T. rubrum), and geophilic (M. gypseum) dermatophyte species can also result in the disease. The causative species may vary among regions (5,6) . In a study published in 2009, Microsporum canis was reported as the most common cause of KC between 1981 and 1985, and Trichophyton tonsurans between 2000-2008 (2) .…”

“…KC is a rare form of dermatophytosis and its frequency differs from 1.5% to 19.8% 5. It is often seen in boys between 3-7 years of age and rarely detected after puberty due to hormonal changes and fungistatic free fatty acids of the sebum (5,6) . Living in rural areas, poor hygiene, crowded environments and low socio-economic conditions are associated with high prevalence.…”

“…Living in rural areas, poor hygiene, crowded environments and low socio-economic conditions are associated with high prevalence. Poor immune response and epidermal immaturity in infants, humid environment, use of broad-spectrum antibiotics are other risk factors of KC (5,6,10,11) . Contact with infected children and animals, diabetes mellitus, anemia, immune suppression and the use of topical and systemic steroids are responsible factors for adult-onset disease (5,11,12) .…”

“…Contact isolation precautions should be taken and personal hygienic equipment should be disinfected. Some experts suggest going to school and daycare center immediately after starting oral and topical treatment (6) . In conclusion, this is the first case report of KC due to T. asteroides which has not been reported in the literature so far .…”