Predominance of Trichophyton tonsurans causing tinea capitis: A ۱۲-year retrospective study in the north of Iran

Background and purpose: Among different clinical entities of dermatophytosis, tinea capitis (TC) is considered a major public health challenge in the world, especially in regions with poor health and low income. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a retrospective analysis of the patients suspected of TC who were referred to the medical mycology laboratory of Mazandaran, a northern province of Iran.Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the patients suspected of TC who were referred to the medical mycology laboratory from July ۲۰۰۹ to April ۲۰۲۲. Hair roots and skin scrapings were collected from the participants. The laboratory diagnosis was confirmed by direct microscopic examination and culture. Finally, ۹۲۱ out of ۱۱۰۹۵ (۸.۳%) patients were suspected of TC.Results: Based on the findings, TC was confirmed in ۲۰۹ out of ۹۲۱ patients (۲۲.۷%). In terms of gender, ۲۰۹ TC patients (۷۵.۱%) were male. Moreover, the male to female ratio of TC patients was ۱:۳.۰. Trichophyton tonsurans (۱۴۶/۱۷۴, ۸۳.۹۱%) was the most etiological agent,followed by T. mentagrophytes (۱۳/۱۷۴, ۷.۴۷%), T. violaceum (۹/۱۷۴, ۵.۱۷%), Microsporum canis (۳/۱۷۴, ۱.۷۱%), T. verrucosum (۲/۱۷۴, ۱.۱۵%) and T. rubrum (۱/۱۷۴, ۰.۵۷%). Besides, endothrix (۷۷.۰%) was the most prevalent type of hair invasion.Conclusion: The results revealed the predominance of T. tonsurans, as a causative agent of TC. Despite the prevalence of TC, the absence of appropriate consideration highlights that it is a neglected complication among children.

کلیدواژه ها:

Iran ، Prevalence ، Tinea capitis ، Trichophyton tonsurans