KERION-CELSI - A CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGIC-STUDY

We present a case record of patients with kerion Celsi observed in the Clinic of Dermatology, University of Cagliari (Italy) from 1981 to 19 95. Altogether, 31 children (18 male and 13 female) with an age range of 40 days to 12 years were studied. In all cases the lesions were con fined to the scalp. In 10 cases the disease developed as such, while i n 21 patients it represented the inflammatory evolution of tinea capit is secondary to incongruous topical treatment. Microsporum canis was i solated in 22 cases and Trichophyton mentagrophytes in nine cases. Sys temic treatment was carried out in 20 patients with griseofulvin, in s ix with, ketoconazole and in five with terbinafine. Complete recovery was obtained in 25-30 days. No cases of relapse were observed. The aut hors stress the importance of an early diagnosis followed by timely an d effective treatment to prevent scarring and permanent hair loss.