Tinea capitis in Botswana.

BACKGROUND: Tinea capitis (TC) is a common dermatophyte infection of the scalp that can also involve the eyebrows and eyelashes.

AIM: This study aimed to find the causative fungus responsible for TC in Botswana and determine its association with the clinical types of TC.

METHODS: Samples for potassium hydroxide 10% mounts and fungal cultures were collected in a microbiology laboratory at the National Health Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana. Dermasel agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar were inoculated with the samples. Lactophenol cotton blue mounts were prepared from the culture-positive samples to study the morphological characteristics.

RESULTS: Trichophyton violaceum was found to be the predominant causative organism of TC. Trichophyton tonsurans was isolated from one patient. Both are anthropophilic species.

CONCLUSION: TC was found to be most common in those aged 1-15 years (81%). Of 17 patients in this age group, 16 were younger than 10 years old and one was 14 years old. T. violaceum was the most common dermatophyte species isolated.