Tinea capitis in adults in Tunisia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the pattern of infectious agents causing tinea capitis (TC) in adult patients in the center of Tunisia.


METHODS
From January 1990 to December 2005, we have retrospectively collected all cases of adult TC, confirmed by the mycological examination.


RESULTS
Sixty patients (18 male, 42 female) with a mean age of 34.5 years were diagnosed as having adult TC among a total number of 1137 cases of TC (5.27%). Clinical features were polymorphic and diagnosis was made on mycological examination. Culture identified Trichophyton violaceum in 36 cases (60%), Microsporum canis in 12 cases (20%), Trichophyton schoenleini in 7 cases (12%), Trichophyton verrucosum in two cases (3.5%), and Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum in one case (each 1.77%). Culture was negative in one case (1.77%). Treatment consisted of administration of Griseofulvin(20–25 mg/kg/d) during 6–8 weeks associated with antifungal topics. A complete recovery was noted in 55 cases (92%) and a relapse occurred in two patients (3.5%). A scary alopecia was observed in one patient (1.77%) and two patients were lost to follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
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].
Mebazaa
Amel
A
Department of Dermatology, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia. amebazaa@yahoo.fr
Oumari
Kamel E L
KE
Ghariani
Najet
N
Mili
Akila Fathallah
AF
Belajouza
Colandane
C
Nouira
Rafiaa
R
Denguezli
Mohamed
M
Ben Said
Moncef
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006118:Griseofulvin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008864:Microsporum / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014006:Tinea Capitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D006118:Griseofulvin