Prevalence of Tinea capitis in Primary School Children

Objective: This study is planned to determine the prevalence and causative agents of tinea capitis in rural area of Kayseri province. Patients and Methods: From March 2005 to May 2005, a school survey of 1396 primary school children was carried out. Data regarding clinical semptoms (itching), and signs (scaling, hair loss, black dots, kerion, scutulum, pustules, and id reaction) were noted and a presumptive clinical diagnose was made. Hair roots, the content of plugged follicles and skin scales were obtained from these children with one or more signs associated with tinea capitis. All collected specimens were analyzed by direct microscopy and culture. Results: Twenty-five cases of tinea capitis were clinically diagnosed. Four (0.3%) of them were diagnosed both clinically and using culture. Seven cases (28%) were diagnosed microscopically whereas the remaining 18 (72%) cases had a clinical diagnose. We also isolated and identified Trichophyton verrucosum (four cases). Conclusion: The study indicated that tinea capitis in our region is rare and the causative organism of tinea capitis is T.verrucosum. In order to prevent children from tinea capitis