Dermatophytes and tinea capitis in northern suburbs of Paris

Objective. We carried out a retrospective survey of dermatophytes causing tinea capitis in the northern suburbs of Paris. Patients and methods. Between January 1990 and December 1998, 420 specimens of hair were examined and 250 strains were isolated on Sabouraud medium. We analysed our data according to positive samples in culture, and patients age, gender and gergraphical origin. Results and discussion. Children aged 1 to 10 years accounted for 82% of the cases. Male sex predominated between 1-10 years (p < 0.05). We identified 7 dermatophyte species. Trichophyton soudanense (42.8 % of cases) and Microsporum audouinii (35/6 %), mainly in patients from subsaharian Africa, but also in other groups of patients. We found Trichophyton rubrum as the causal species in 1.6 % of the cases of tinea capitis. This species is well known for causing other dermatophytomycoses. Zoophilic species, mainly Microsporum canis (16 %) exhibited a new distribution, attacking the migrant population, probably due to a change in habits with pets.