Tinea capitis in China

Abstract

British Journal of DermatologyVolume 186, Issue 4 p. e185-e185 Plain Language Summary Tinea capitis in China First published: 04 April 2022 https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.21079AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Abstract Linked article: Chen et al. Br J Dermatol 2022; 186:705–712 Tinea capitis is an infection of the scalp and hair caused by dermatophytes (fungi that can obtain nutrients from keratin-rich tissues such as skin, hairs and nails, and cause tinea capitis). It is an important fungal skin disease in children and is still common in developing countries such as China. The pathogens (the type of fungi) that cause tinea capitis varies across regions and changes over time. This study aimed to find out more about tinea capitis in China. It involved 29 hospitals and from August 2019 to July 2020 patients who visited one of these hospitals and were diagnosed with tinea capitis were included in the study. Information about age and sex, risk factors and fungal tests were collected. The pathogens were identified by morphology (appearance seen by the naked eye or under the microscope) or, more complicated, molecular sequencing (characteristics of the DNA sequences). Of 611 patients in the study, about three-quarters were between 2 and 8 years old. The children with tinea capitis were mainly boys (56%) and the adults were mainly females (83%). Ten types of dermatophytes were found. The most common type was zoophilic Microsporum canis (65%, a dermatophyte which is often associated with cats and dogs) followed by anthropophilic Trichophyton violaceum (14%, a dermatophyte that is mainly transmitted between humans). The most common pathogen differed by region, for example, in the central region compared with eastern, western and northeastern regions. Doctors are advised to pay more attention to the different transmission routes and type of dermatophytes in different age groups from different regions. Volume186, Issue4April 2022Pages e185-e185 RelatedInformation