Estudio epidemiológico de la tinea capitis en una población de Santiago de Chile. La aparición de Trichophyton tonsurans como agente etiológico

Abstract

IntroductionTinea capitis (TC) is a dermatophytosis that affects the hair and scalp. The epidemiology of TC depends on the different geographical areas and is variable over time. Direct microscopic examination and fungal culture are essential to confirm the diagnostic suspicion and to identify the germ involved. ObjectivesTo determine the frequency of TC, to identify the etiological agents and to analyze the epidemiological aspects, in patients with suspected TC from Santiago Norte during the period 2009-2015. Materials and methodsA total of 505 patients with suspected TC were evaluated in the Dermatology Laboratory, Hospital Clinico Universidad de Chile. Direct microscopic examination was performed with KOH 30% and fungal culture of scalp lesions. Identification of the fungi was mainly morpho-physiological. ResultsThe diagnosis of TC was confirmed in 155 cases (30.7%). Male gender predominated (57.4%). The average age was 5years. 85.2% of the cases occurred in the preschool and school population. The most frequent isolated agent was Microsporum canis in 89.8%, followed by Trichophyton tonsurans in 7.1%. It was confirmed that 81.8% of the cases of Trichophyton tonsurans had foreign ancestry, mainly of Haiti and Peru. ConclusionsThis study evidenced the occurrence of Trichophyton tonsurans as a cause of TC, which could be explained by the increase in the immigrant population and the anthropophilic characteristics of the dermatophyte.