Aetiology of tinea capitis in China: a multicentre prospective study. (21st December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, X.‐Q.; Zheng, D.‐Y.; Xiao, Y.‐Y.; Dong, B.‐L.; Cao, C.‐W.; Ma, L.; Tong, Z.‐S.; Zhu, M.; Liu, Z.‐H.; Xi, L.‐Y.; Fu, M.; Jin, Y.; Yin, B.; Li, F.‐Q.; Li, X.‐F.; Abliz, P.; Liu, H.‐F.; Zhang, Y.; Yu, N.; Wu, W.‐W.; Xiong, X.‐C.; Zeng, J.‐S.; Huang, H.‐Q.; Jiang, Y.‐P.; Chen, G.‐Z.; Pan, W.‐H.; Sang, H.; Wang, Y.; Guo, Y.; Shi, D.‐M.; Yang, J.‐X.; Chen, W.; Wan, Z.; Li, R.‐Y.; Wang, A.‐P.; Ran, Y.‐P.; Yu, J.;
• Is Part Of: British journal of dermatology. Volume 186:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: 705
• Page End: 712
• Publication Date: 2021-12-21
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/bjd.20875
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-0963

Abstract

Summary: Background: Tinea capitis is still common in developing countries, such as China. Its pathogen spectrum varies across regions and changes over time. Objectives: This study aimed to clarify the current epidemiological characteristics and pathogen spectrum of tinea capitis in China. Methods: A multicentre, prospective descriptive study involving 29 tertiary hospitals in China was conducted. From August 2019 to July 2020, 611 patients with tinea capitis were enrolled. Data concerning demography, risk factors and fungal tests were collected. When necessary, the pathogens were further identified by morphology or molecular sequencing in the central laboratory. Results: Among all enrolled patients, 74·1% of the cases were in patients aged 2–8 years. The children with tinea capitis were mainly boys (56·2%) and were more likely than adults to have a history of animal contact (57·4% vs. 35·3%, P = 0·012) and zoophilic dermatophyte infection (73·5% vs. 47%). The adults were mainly female (83%) and were more likely than children to have anthropophilic agent infection (53% vs. 23·9%). The most common pathogen was zoophilic Microsporum canis (354, 65·2%), followed by anthropophilic Trichophyton violaceum (74, 13·6%). In contrast to the eastern, western and northeastern regions, where zoophilic M. canis predominated, anthropophilic T. violaceum predominated in central China (69%, P < 0·001), where the patients had the most tinea at other sites (20%) and dermatophytosis contact (26%) but the least animal contact (39%). Microsporum ferrugineum was the most common anthropophilic agent in the western area, especially in Xinjiang province. Conclusions: Boys aged approximately 5 years were the most commonly affected group. Dermatologists are advised to pay more attention to the different transmission routes and pathogen spectra in different age groups from different regions. Abstract : What is already known about this topic? Tinea capitis is an infection of the scalp and hair caused by dermatophytes and is still common in developing countries. Prepubertal children are mainly affected. The pathogen spectrum of tinea capitis varies across different geographical areas and changes over time. Nationwide prospective epidemiological surveys of tinea capitis in China are rare and out of date. What does this study add? This study provides data concerning the epidemiological characteristics and pathogen spectrum of tinea capitis in contemporary China. Boys aged approximately 5 years were most commonly affected and were more likely than adults to have zoophilic dermatophyte infection. The main pathogens of tinea capitis in China are zoophilic dermatophytes, mainly Microsporum canis . In contrast to the other regions, the predominant pathogens in central China are anthropophilic dermatophytes. Plain language summary available online