THE EMERGENCE OF TRICHOPHYTON TONSURANS TINEA-CAPITIS IN BIRMINGHAM, UK

The anthropophilic fungus Trichophyton tonsurans is a cause of tinea c apitis in children. Since the 1950s the organism has spread from Centr al to North America. A similar recent emergence of T. tonsurans has no t been reported previously in the U.K. T. tonsurans was found to have become the predominant cause of tinea capitis in Birmingham, U.K., acc ounting for 72% of infections investigated in 1993. The symptoms and s igns of the infection were variable and accurate diagnosis may be init ially difficult. It is, thus, important to be aware of the emergence o f T. tonsurans in the U.K., so that an early diagnosis can be made to facilitate appropriate treatment and to prevent spread of infection to close contacts.