[Emergence of Microsporum audouinii and Trichophyton tonsurans as causative organisms of tinea capitis in the Dominican Republic]. / Tinea capitis. Emergencia de Microsporum audouinii y Trichophyton tonsurans en la República Dominicana.

BACKGROUND: Tinea capitis affects mainly children. The frequency and causative organism vary from region to region. OBJECTIVES: To provide epidemiological and mycological data on tinea capitis collected in urban and rural areas of the Dominican Republic. METHODS: Samples were obtained from 118 patients with tinea capitis. Sixty-three of these were from 2 schools in urban areas of the Dominican capital Santo Domingo (53%) and 55 were from rural schools on the border with Haiti (47%). RESULTS: The study included 84 boys (71. 18%) and 34 girls (28. 81%). The urban sample comprised mainly boys (84. 12%). The most represented age ranges were 6 to 8 years (47. 45%), 3 to 5 years (24. 59%), and 9 to 11 years (16. 94%). Microsporum audouinii (39. 68%), Trichophyton tonsurans (23. 80%), Microsporum canis (19. 04%), and Trichophyton violaceum (1. 58%) were isolated from children in urban areas, whereas T. tonsurans (87%) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (2%) were isolated from those in rural areas. Overall, T. tonsurans (61. 16%), M. audouinii (24. 27%), and M canis (11. 65%) were the most frequently isolated causative organisms, whereas T. violaceum and T. mentagrophytes were rarely reported. CONCLUSIONS: In urban areas of the Dominican Republic, tinea capitis was found mainly in boys, but in rural areas it was evenly distributed among boys and girls. The emergence of M. audouinii and an increase in T. tonsurans were found while M. canis continued to be present at lower frequencies. On the rural border with Haiti, there was a significant predominance of T. tonsurans.

Tinea capitis. Emergencia de Microsporum audouinii y Trichophyton tonsurans en la República Dominicana / Emergence of Microsporum audouinii and Trichophyton tonsurans as Causative Organisms of Tinea Capitis in the Dominican Republic

Antecedentes: Las tiñas de la cabeza predominan en los niños, con una frecuencia y etiología variables en diferentes partes del mundo. Objetivos: Comunicar los datos epidemiológicos y micológicos de tiña del cuero cabelludo observados en la zona urbana y rural de la República Dominicana. Metodología: Se estudiaron 118 muestras de pacientes con diagnóstico de tiña de la cabeza en la República Dominicana, 63 de dos escuelas urbanas en la capital Santo Domingo (53%) y 55 de escuelas rurales en la frontera dominico-haitiana (47%). Resultados: Se estudiaron 84 varones (71,18%) y 34 mujeres (28,81%). En la zona urbana predominó en los varones (84,12%). La edad con mayores porcentajes fue entre 6 y 8años (47,45%), de 3 y 5 años (24,59%) y 9 y 11 años (16,94%). En la zona urbana se aislaron M. audouinii (39,68%), T. tonsurans (23,80%), M. canis (19,04%) y T. violaceum (1,58%) y en la zona rural T. tonsurans (87%) y T. mentagrophytes (2%) y globalmente T. tonsurans (61,16%), M. audouinii (24,27%) y M. canis (11,65%) y rara vez T. violaceum y T. mentagrophytes. Conclusiones: En la República Dominicana, en la zona urbana, la tiña de la cabeza predomina en los varones y en la zona rural tiene una frecuencia similar en ambos sexos. Se detectó una emergencia por M. audouinii, un incremento de Trichophyton tonsurans, y una estabilidad con frecuencia más baja de M. canis. En la zona rural y la frontera con Haití hay un predominio significativo de T. tonsurans (AU)

Background: Tinea capitis affects mainly children. The frequency and causative organism vary from region to region. Objectives: To provide epidemiological and mycological data on tinea capitis collected in urban and rural areas of the Dominican Republic. Methods: Samples were obtained from 118 patients with tinea capitis. Sixty-three of these were from 2 schools in urban areas of the Dominican capital Santo Domingo (53%) and 55 were from rural schools on the border with Haiti (47%). Results: The study included 84 boys (71.18%) and 34 girls (28.81%). The urban sample comprised mainly boys (84.12%). The most represented age ranges were 6 to 8 years (47.45%), 3 to 5 years (24.59%), and 9 to 11 years (16.94%). Microsporum audouinii (39.68%), Trichophyton tonsurans (23.80%), Microsporum canis (19.04%), and Trichophyton violaceum (1.58%) were isolated from children in urban areas, whereas T. tonsurans (87%) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (2%) were isolated from those in rural areas. Overall, T. tonsurans (61.16%), M. audouinii (24.27%), and M canis (11.65%) were the most frequently isolated causative organisms, whereas T. violaceum and T. mentagrophytes were rarely reported. Conclusions: In urban areas of the Dominican Republic, tinea capitis was found mainly in boys, but in rural areas it was evenly distributed among boys and girls. The emergence of M. audouinii and an increase in T. tonsurans were found while M. canis continued to be present at lower frequencies. On the rural border with Haiti, there was a significant predominance of T. tonsurans (AU)

Pitiriasis versicolor en niños. Estudio epidemiológico y micológico de 797 casos estudiados en la república dominicana / Pityriasis versicolor in children. Epidemiological and mycological data of 797 cases in the dominican republic

Antecedentes: La pitiriasis versicolor es una micosis cosmopolita causada por Malassezia spp. y sensu lato por M. furfur. Se afectan desde lactantes hasta ancianos, pero hay pocos reportes de su frecuencia en niños. Objetivos: Estudiar los datos clínicos y epidemiológicos de la pitiriasis versicolor en la población pediátrica. Metodología: Estudio retrospectivo y transversal de los pacientes infantiles con pitiriasis versicolor confirmada por estudio micológico de enero a diciembre de 1999. Resultados: Entre 5.160 casos de pitiriasis versicolor se encontraron 797 en menores de 15 años (13,5 per cent) (promedio 8 años) y, de éstos, 92 en lactantes. La localización más frecuente fue la cara, en el 50,2 per cent, el tronco en el 25,68 per cent y las extremidades en el 19,4 per cent, pero también en el cuello en el 4,8 per cent. Conclusiones: La pitiriasis versicolor en niños es frecuente en climas cálidos y húmedos, y predomina en la cara y el tronco. El diagnóstico con hidróxido de potasio es sencillo y barato, y pone en evidencia a Malassezia spp. (AU)

[Pityriasis versicolor in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. In vivo morphological data of Malasezzia spp. in 100 cases]. / Pitiriasis versicolor en Santo Domingo, República Dominicana. Datos morfológicos de Malassezia spp. in vivo en 100 casos.

BACKGROUND: Pityriasis versicolor is caused by Malassezia spp. It is a common world wide mycosis. Seven species are known of the Malassezia genus, and are identified in vitro by their morphological characteristics, biochemical tests and by molecular biology. OBJECTIVES: to determine clinical and epidemiological data of pityriasis versicolor as well as morphological aspects of Malassezia in vivo. METHODOLOGY: we performed a direct examination of the scales and classified the microscopic mycological elements as oval and orbicular spores, short and long hyphae. RESULTS: pityriasis versicolor mainly affected the thorax. Orbiculare yeasts and short hyphae frequently present. We could corroborate the wide morphological range of Malassezia spp. CONCLUSIONS: The morphological study of Malassezia spp. in vivo is not sufficient to determine the distribution of the various species.

[Pityriasis versicolor in infants under one year of age. A report of 92 cases]. / Pitiriasis versicolor en lactantes. Estudio de 92 casos.

BACKGROUND: Pityriasis versicolor is a common world wide mycosis caused by Malassezia spp. and by Malassezia furfur sensu lato. It is uncommon in children and almost always with atypical clinical manifestations. It has been reported as exceptional in children under one year of age. OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical and epidemiological data of pityriasis versicolor in infants under one year of age. METHODOLOGY: This is a restrospective and transversal study of pityriasis versicolor in the pediatric population studied during one year at the Instituto Dermatologico y Cirugia de Piel in Dominican Republic. Everyone with a Malassezia spp. positive scotch tape test with methylene blue were included. RESULTS: Among 5160 cases of pityriasis versicolor where 797 were children, we found 92 (11%) cases under one year of age. The clinical manifestations were atypical and the most commonly affected zone was the face (81%) and thorax (16%). Less frequently the neck (8.6%) and upper and lower limbs (5%) were affected. CONCLUSIONS: Pityriasis versicolor in children under one year of age is not exceptional in humid and hot climates. The hypochromic lesions are the main clinical manifestation and the most affected site is the face. Diagnosis is easy and cheap with a positive Malassezia spp. scotch tape test with methylene blue.