Epidemiology of tinea capitis.

This paper addresses the changing epidemiology of tinea capitis in the USA and in Europe that has occurred over the last several decades. Several dermatophytes are involved in the etiology, and the primary etiological agents of tinea capitis are limited to the genera Microsporum and Trichophyton. In addition, the sources of these infections are discussed and although geophilic dermatophytes occur worldwide, anthropophilic species and some zoophilic fungi may be geographically restricted, depending on host range. For example, tinea capitis due to geophilic organisms is rare in the USA.