BACKGROUND: Tinea capitis is an important fungal infection of both pediatrical and dermatological interest. In Brazil, its prevalence is unknown, and main causal agents are Trichophyton tonsurans n northern and northeastern regions and Microsporum canis in southern and southeastern regions of the country. Knowledge on the most prevalent geni and species has sanitary and therapeutical importance. OBJECTIVE: To identify dermatophyte species causing Tinea capitis, in a University Hospital that sees patients of the Public Health System (SUS), coming from both urban and rural areas in the interior of State of São Paulo. METHODS: Samples of clinical cases with suspicion of Tinea capitis, coming from the area under Boucatu Medical School - Unesp’s responsibility, were investigated by means of direct examination and cultivation aimed at identification and isolation of the causal agent. RESULTS: 594 out of 1,055 suspected cases were confirmed by direct examination, in 364 (61.1%) a causal agent was isolated: M. canis in 88.2%, followed by T. tonsurans (4,7%), T. rubrum (3,3%), M. gypseum (1,9%), T. mentagrophytes Males comprised 55.7% of the cases, and the age range of 0 - 5 years was predominant with 62.6% (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: M. canis detected prevalence was above the expected for Southeast of Brazil. The frequency of 88.2% may represent an influence of patients coming from the rural areas. These data should be considered for therapeutic decisions.
Epidemiology; Microsporum; Tinea capitis
