Mycological and therapeutic studies on tinea capitis

ABSTRACT

A total of 321 cases of tinea capitis representing scaly [60%], favus [29%], kerion [10%] and black dot [1.4%] clinical types were studied. The microscopic and cultural examinations were positive in 63% and 84.5%, respectively. 267 strains of dermatophytes representing Trichophyton violacium [106 strains], Trichophyton schoenleinii [77], Trichophyton mentagrophytes [5], Microsporum canis [68] and Microsporum audounii [11] were recovered. The hair brush and soil- bait techniques seem to be much better in the isolation of T. Schoenleinii and M. audounii. M. canis was isolated by direct method more frequently than the other methods, M. Audounii was only isolated by using the hair brush and soil-bait procedures. The growth of all tested strains was inhibited at different concentrations of dehydroemetine. T. mentagrophytes and T. schoenleinii were more sensitive, while M. canis was least sensitive. DHE was prepared in 0.8% concentration to form an ointment which was used for treatment of 15 selected patients. After three-six weeks, all lesions were cured completely. Clearance of infection was detected mycologically and histopathologically