Survey on the epidemiology of Microsporum canis infections in Crete, Greece over a 5-year period.

BACKGROUND

Microsporum canis is a frequent cause of tinea capitis and tinea corporis in Europe and especially in the Mediterranean area. Objective This study was undertaken to examine the epidemiologic features of all cases of M. canis infections recorded in Crete, Greece, during a 5-year period (1994-1998).

METHODS

The epidemiology of 111 cases of dermatophytoses due to M. canis was analyzed according to the sex, age, origin of the infection, place of residence, body site affected, and seasonal progression.

RESULTS

M. canis constituted 24.5% of all dermatophytes isolated during the study period. Women were more frequently affected than men (54%), and infections were most prevalent in patients up to the age of 9 years (46.8%). Cats were identified as the commonest source of the infection (82%). As regarding the place of residence, most of the infected patients came from rural areas (64.9%). The commonest sites of M. canis infection (in decreasing order of frequency) were: the head, the lower extremities, the trunk, and the upper extremities. The greatest number of cases were seen in September and December.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the present study indicate that M. canis infections have gradually decreased in recent years in this geographic area. Eradication requires elimination of the natural source of the infection, represented mainly by stray animals.