Tinea capitis in children in northern Greece during the period 1981-1995

In our 15 years of investigation in northern Greece, the predominant organism producing tinea capitis in children was found to be the zoophilic Microsporum canis (494 strains) which is a common saprophyte of the hair of pets, especially cats. The high percentage of cases with M. canis (97%), in contrast to zoophilic fungi (3%), is probably due to the increased contact of children with pets. The small number of infections with anthropophilic fungi (41 strains) is attributed to good hygienic conditions. The fluorescence of infected hair under Wood's light seems to be a major diagnostic criterion in the hands of dermatologists who are not served by a mycological laboratory.