Tinea capitis due to Microsporum canis in the ‎university hospital Hassan II of fez: ‎Epidemiological and mycological ‎profile

Microsporum canis (M. canis) is a widespread zoophilic dermatophyte worldwide and is identified as the primary causative agent of scalp ringworm in prepubescent children. The objective of this study is to describe the epidemiological and mycological profile of scalp tinea due to M. canis diagnosed at the Hassan II University Hospital in Fes. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2023, involving all patients referred to our parasitology-mycology laboratory for scalp mycological sampling, excluding those already under antifungal treatment. Out of a total of 251 patients, 72 patients were confirmed to have scalp ringworm based on fungal culture (28.68%). Among the positive samples, 33 cases were confirmed as M. canis positive (45.83%). The mean age of patients with M. canis scalp ringworm was 8.75 years, with a predominance (63.63%) in children aged 5 to 10 years. The male-to-female sex ratio was 1.35. A history of contact with animals was found in 60.6% of cases, and immunosuppression was noted in 3.03% of cases. The tinea capitis presenting as large alopecic patches was exclusive to the 33 patients. Direct examination was positive in 66.66% of cases, showing an endo-ectothrix pattern of hair parasitism in all cases. Our study confirmed the predominance of M. canis scalp ringworm in school-aged male children and its rarity in adults, consistent with the literature, particularly studies from Tunisia, Cameroon, and Germany.