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Trichophyton violaceum is the dominant cause of tinea capitis in children in Tripoli, Libya: Results of a two year survey

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Abstract

The causative agents of tinea capitis in Libyan nationals attending the out patient Dermatology Clinic of the Tripoli Medical Centre over the period December 1997 to December 1999 were investigated. Samples (hair and scalp scrapings) were taken from 940 patients who presented with suspected tinea capitis. The etiological agents were identified in 584 cases. Trichophyton violaceum was found to be the most prevalent organism isolated being responsible for 64.4% (376/584) of culture positive cases, followed by Microsporum canis at 24.7% (144/584) and T. mentagrophytes at 5.5% (32/584). The majority of infections (380/584) occurred in females and in children with ages less than 12 years (554/584).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical College, Al-Fateh University, P.O. Box 13497, Tripoli, Libya

    Mohamed S. Ellabib & Muna Agaj

  2. Mycology Section, Central Laboratory, Tripoli Medical Centre, Tripoli, Libya

    Zinab Khalifa

  3. Medical Mycology Unit, Department of Biology, NUI Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland

    Kevin Kavanagh

Authors
  1. Mohamed S. Ellabib
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  2. Muna Agaj
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  3. Zinab Khalifa
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  4. Kevin Kavanagh
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Ellabib, M.S., Agaj, M., Khalifa, Z. et al. Trichophyton violaceum is the dominant cause of tinea capitis in children in Tripoli, Libya: Results of a two year survey. Mycopathologia 153, 145–147 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014592507063

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014592507063

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