An epidemiological survey of tinea capitis in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina over a 10-year period

Mycoses. 2008 Mar;51(2):161-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2007.01451.x.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and aetiological agents of tinea capitis in Sarajevo area, Bosnia and Herzegovina, during a 10-year period (1997-2006). A total of 707 patients with suspected dermatophyte infections of scalp was analysed. Tinea capitis was determined in 241 (34.1%) of these patients, in whom causative agents were identified in 209 (29.6%). Zoophilic dermatophytes (91.8%) prevailed over anthropophilic (7.2%) and geophilic (1.0%) dermatophytes. Microsporum canis was the most frequent dermatophyte isolated (90.4%), followed by Trichophyton schoenleinii (2.4%) and Trichophyton violaceum (1.9%). The majority of infections occurred in males (56.5%) and in children with age less than 10 years (52.6%).

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Animals
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Microsporum / classification
  • Microsporum / isolation & purification*
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Sex Distribution
  • Tinea Capitis / epidemiology*
  • Tinea Capitis / microbiology*
  • Trichophyton / classification
  • Trichophyton / isolation & purification*
  • Zoonoses / epidemiology
  • Zoonoses / microbiology