Epidemiological and Mycological Characteristics of Teenagers with Tinea Capitis in Southeastern Korea: Trichophyton tonsurans as the Main Causative Fungus in Recent 10 Years

Background: Tinea capitis is a contagious fungal infection that occurs predominantly in childhood. Although its incidence has declined, its epidemiological and mycological characteristics are continue to evolve. Objective: To assess changes in the epidemiological and mycological characteristics of tinea capitis in teenage patients in Southeastern Korea. Methods: We retrospectively investigated epidemiological and mycological characteristics of 202 teenage patientswith tinea capitis who visited Kyungpook National University Hospital and the Catholic Skin Disease Clinic from 1989-2018. Results: Of 202 patients, 177 patients showed KOH-positivity. Dermatophytes were cultured from 157 patients. The annual incidence of tinea capitis ranged from 0 to 30 between 1989 and 2018. Of 202 patients, 153 patients (75.74%) were male and 49 patients (24.26%) were female. The ratio of male to female was 1:0.32. For seasonal distribution, 78 patients (38.61%) visited our hospital in winter, 59 patients (29.21%) visited in spring, 35 patients (17.33%) visited in fall, and 30 patients (14.85%) visited in summer. Microsporum canis was the most common dermatophyte (44.06%) isolated from tinea capitis. Trichophyton tonsurans was the second most common dermatophyte (26.73%). For inhabitancy distribution, 151 patients (74.75%) lived in urban areas and 51 (25.25%) lived in rural areas. Conclusion: The epidemiological characteristics of teenage patients with tinea capitis were distinct from those of adults in annual incidence, sexual distribution and isolated dermatophytes. Trichophyton tonsurans was the main causative organism of tinea capitis in recent 10 years. These results are useful for the targeted treatment and prevention of tinea capitis.