Tinea capitis in the area of Sfax (Tunisia)

Introduction. - Tinea capitis is still considered a public health problem in our country, and is the most common type of dermatophytosis in children. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical, epidemiological and mycological characteristics of tinea capitis in Sfax region. Patients and methods. - A retrospective study realized on 12,533 mycological examinations of the scalp in 13-years period (from January 1995 to December 2007). Results. - In all, 5264 cases of tinea were diagnosed. The prevalence was 405 cases per year. The sex-ratio was 1.25. The average age was eight years and four months. Two hundred and fifty-three (4.8%) cases were diagnosed in adults. Trichophytic tinea was the most frequent (68.3%) followed by microsporic tinea (29.3%) and inflammatory tinea (2.3%). Five cases of favus type were diagnosed. Other family members were infected by tinea in 10% of cases. The isolated dermatophytic flora was: Trichophyton violaceum (68%), Microsporum canis (29.2%), T mentagrophytes (1.34%), T verrucosum (0.7%), T tonsurans (0.3%), T rubrum (0.2%), M. audouinii (0.1%), T schoenleinii (0.1%), M. gypseum (two cases), and T quinckeanum (one case). Our patients had tinea corporis and finger onychomycosis associated respectively in 15% and 0.6% of cases. Conclusion. - In our region, T violaceum continues to be the leading cause of tinea capitis. Zoophitic agents become more prevalent. This finding may be explained by changing behaviours and activities of the population, who kept a larger number of domestic animals at homes. Some dermatophytic agents, which are uncommon pathogens of tinea capitis in our country, were detected. (C) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits reserves.