The prevalence of adult tinea capitis: a 10-year retrospective study in Hangzhou, eastern China, between 2012 and 2021

Abstract Introduction: Tinea capitis (TC) is a disease caused by dermatophytes on the scalp and hair. This disease mainly infects pre-school children, although there has been a gradual increase in the number of adults infected with TC over recent years. Here, we retrospectively analyzed epidemiological data relating to adult TC (ATC) in Hangzhou, eastern China, over the last decade.Materials and Methods: We analyzed all adult patients who were referred to the Mycology Laboratory of Hangzhou Third People's Hospital (Affiliated Hangzhou Dermatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine) between 2012 and 2021 and suspected of having TC. Mycological tests were used to confirm the diagnosis. We acquired arrange of epidemiological data for analysis, including age, gender, and the distribution of dermatophytes. We also collated data relating to risk factors, such as tinea with other sites, underlying diseases, and a history of animal contact. Results: A total of 165 patients were diagnosed with ATC, including 77 males (46.7%) and 88 females (53.3%). The gender ratio was 0.875 and the mean age was 49±23.1 years (range: 18-96 years). The most dominant dermatophytes were Trichophyton violaceum (25.6%) and Trichophyton rubrum (25.6%), followed by Microsporum canis (24.4%). Anthropophilic dermatophytes accounted for 63.3% of all cases. Interestingly, 63 patients (38.2%) with a confirmed diagnosis of ATC also presented tinea with other sites.Conclusion: This study indicated that ATC infection is more commonly found in women, especially in those aged >45 years. Anthropophilic dermatophytes, T. violaceum and T. rubrum, were found to be the most dominant dermatophytes, followed by M. canis. Dermatologists should consider that tinea with other sites may represent a risk factor for ATC.