title: Clinicoepidemiological and Mycological Study of Tinea Capitis in the Pediatric Population of Kashmir Valley: A Study from a Tertiary Care Centre.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tinea capitis is a superficial fungal infection that predominantly affects the pediatric population. The etiological factors vary from region to region, and the exact incidence remains obscure. The clinicoepidemiological and mycological aspects of this dermatophytosis were studied in a tertiary care centre in Kashmir valley.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the clinicoepidemiological aspects and mycological findings of dermatophytes involved in tinea capitis cases in Kashmir valley.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wood's lamp examination, KOH examination, and fungal culture were performed in one hundred fifty clinically diagnosed cases of tinea capitis with patients' age upto 14 years over a period of 6 months. The epidemiological factors associated with the disease were also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tinea capitis was predominant in the 3-6 and 6-9 years age groups with a male preponderance. Grey patch tinea capitis was the most common variant. KOH positivity was 76%, andTrichophyton tonsuranswas the most common fungal isolate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tinea capitis is a very common fungal infection in our setting. Early detection and diagnosis is mandatory to prevent its spread in the community as well as the development of scarring alopecia in the affected individual.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, STD and Leprosy, Government Medical College, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: Yasmeen J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, STD and Leprosy, Government Medical College, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: Sumaya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zeerak
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: Farhat
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kanth
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, STD and Leprosy, Government Medical College, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: Atiya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yaseen
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, STD and Leprosy, Government Medical College, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: Iffat
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: Rubina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hakak
keywords: Dermatophytes; Trichophyton tonsurans; tinea capitis