Tinea capitis in two black African adults with HIV infection

Tinea capitis is rare in adults, although a few cases have been described i n HIV-infected patients. We present two cases in black African adults who w ere HIV positive. In one, the condition led to the diagnosis of HIV infecti on. It is possible that the rarity of tinea capitis in HIV-positive adults could be related to increased colonization of their scalp by Pityrosporum ( Malassezia) spp. In patients well controlled with an antiviral therapy, the treatment of tinea capitis seems no more difficult than in non-immunosuppr essed patients. There is possibly a relation between clinical presentation and degree of immunodeficiency.