MYCOLOGICAL STUDY OF TINEA CAPITIS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Tinea capitis is a superficial fungal infection of the hair follicle of scalp. The causative dermatophytes vary with social status and geographical distribution. The incidence is high in developing countries due to factors like poverty compounded by overcrowding, improper hygiene and illiteracy. Tinea capitis is the most common dermatophytes infection of childhood, especially in school going children. It is self-limiting disease of childhood and seldom extends beyond puberty. India being a tropical developing country with high temperature and humidity favours superficial cutaneous mycotic infections. The objective of this study was to isolate and identify the dermatophytes causing tinea capitis. METHOD A prospective study was conducted from July 2013 to August 2015. The study included 90 clinically suspected cases of tinea capitis. Among the 90 clinically suspected cases, 51 cases showed mycological evidence of fungal infection. The confirmed positive cases were then speciated based on their cultural morphology and microscopy. RESULTS Among the 51 culture positive cases - 20(39.21%) Trichophyton rubrum, 14(27.45%) Trichophyton mentagrophytes, 06(11.76%) Trichophyton tonsurans, 05(9.8%) Microsporum gypseum, 03(5.8%) Microsporum canis, 02(3.92%) Microsporum audouinii and 01(1.96%) Trichophyton violaceum species were obtained. CONCLUSION Trichophyton species were found to be the major causative agents for tinea capitis