Dermatophytosis of the scalp: Incidence, immune response, and epidemiology

Tinea capitis remains a common infection among the pediatric population of North America. The ‘gray patch’ Microsporum audouinii infections of the 1950's have been supplanted by the ‘black dot’ ringworm of Trichophyton tonsurans. The clinical presentation of T. tonsurans infection is quite variable and may be related to specific host T-lymphocyte response. This dermatophytosis is most frequently incurred from contact with an infected child either directly or via a variety of fomites. Current studies indicate that an asymptomatic adult carrier state may also exist which could contribute to the morbidity of this mycosis.