A multicenter clinicomycological study evaluating the spectrum of adult tinea capitis in Egypt.

Introduction: Tinea capitis (TC) is a common fungal infection in children but is less frequently encountered in adults. This study evaluates the clinical characteristics and mycological studies of adult TC among the Egyptian population.

Methods: A multicenter study included patients diagnosed with TC from 2002 to 2012.

Results: The study included 58 patients with a predominance of females (84.5%). The average age was 43.2 years and the mean duration of lesions was 7.1 ± 2.41 months. A history of close contact with animals was reported in 17.2% and Hepatitis C virus infection was recorded in 34.4%. Clinically, scaly scalp (37.9%), alopecia (22.4%), and pyoderma-like lesions (13.8%) were the most common presentations. The parietal (27.6%) and temporal (25.8%) regions were the most affected areas. KOH mounting showed endothrix spores in 56.9%, ectothrix spores in 34.5%, and favic chaplets (hyphae) in 8.6%. Fungal culture showed Trichophyton violaceum in 56.9%, Microsporum audouinii in 19%, Microsporum canis in 15.5%, and Trichophyton schoenleini in 8.6%.

Conclusions: Trichophyton violaceum is the most common cause of adult TC among Egyptians. Increased awareness of variable clinical forms of TC will help in identifying more cases, especially those with HCV infection and close contact with animals.