Pediatric tinea capitis in Jilin Province: analyzing previous results from a new perspective

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the current etiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic characteristics of tinea capitis in children in Jilin Province. METHODS: Sixty pediatric patients with tinea capitis were enrolled between August 2020 and December 2021. Data on calcofluor white (CFW) fluorescence microscopy, fungal culture, Wood's lamp examination, dermoscopy, treatment, and follow–up were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: 1. Of all the enrolled patients, 48 had a history of animal contact, mostly with cats and dogs. Fifty–one strains were isolated, of which 46 were Microsporum canis (M. canis). 2. All enrolled patients were examined using fluorescence microscopy, and 59 were positive. Forty–one cases of tinea alba were examined using Wood's lamp, and 38 were positive. Forty–two cases of tinea alba were examined using dermoscopy, and 39 demonstrated specific signs. Effective treatment manifested as a fading bright green fluorescence, decreased mycelial/spore load, reduced specific dermoscopic signs, and hair regrowth. 3. Treatment was terminated in 23 and 37 cases based on mycological and clinical cures, respectively. No recurrence occurred during follow–up. CONCLUSION: 1. M. canis is the predominant pathogen causing tinea capitis in children in Jilin Province. Animal contact is considered the main risk factor. 2. CFW fluorescence microscopy, Wood's lamp, and dermoscopy can be used to diagnose ringworms and follow–up patients. 3. Both mycological and clinical cures can be the endpoint of adequate treatment for tinea capitis.