Trichophyton Tonsurans Infection of the Scalp

In the states bordering Mexico there is a high incidence of Trichophyton tonsurans infection of the scalp.*Fortunately, this serious and often protracted type of tinea capitis is rare in the eastern part of the United States. In two series reported from New York † and totaling 3,169 cases, only 9 (0.28%) were due to T. tonsurans. During 1951, 1952, and 1953 we observed and treated 452 patients with tinea capitis. Four hundred twenty-five (94%) were caused by Microsporum audouini, 21 (4.6%) by Microsporum canis, 4 (0.95%) by Microsporum gypseum, 1 (0.22%) by Trichophyton schoenleini and 1 (0.22%) by Trichophyton tonsurans. The following case is reported in order to call attention to the possibility of an epidemic spread of T. tonsurans into the Baltimore area. G. B., a white girl aged 8 years, consulted us on Feb. 26, 1953, complaining of bald spots and painful pustules on the scalp. For the first five years of her life she lived in California.