P02 A single-centre, retrospective study of paediatric tinea capitis in the United Kingdom

BACKGROUND: The clinical and microbiological spectrum of paediatric tinea capitis in the United Kingdom has not been recently reported. This study evaluates recent changes in the incidence, clinical presentation, and microbiological spectrum of paediatric tinea capitis over the past nine years. METHODS: A single-centre retrospective cohort study was undertaken, including all patients under 18 years of age with microbiologically confirmed tinea capitis during two three-year periods: 2016-19 and 2022-25. Clinical records were reviewed to assess age, sex, clinical presentation, microbiological findings, and patient-reported source of transmission. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients were identified: 32 from 2016-19 and 70 from 2022-25 representing a 119% increase in cases. The proportion of patients presenting with kerion also rose considerably, from 18.8% (6/32) in 2016-19 to 35.7% (25/70) in 2022-25. Whilst Trichophyton tonsurans remained the predominant organism in both cohorts (72.4% versus 74.2% of cultured organisms), Trichophyton mentagrophytes emerged as the second most commonly isolated organism in 2022-25 (n = 6, 9.1%), having been absent in 2016-19. Patient-reported barber-associated transmission was present only in 2022-25 (n = 22). This group were exclusively male patients, with higher mean age (9.8 years) and a higher frequency of kerion (40.9%) compared to the overall study group. CONCLUSION: The incidence of paediatric tinea capitis has more than doubled in our centre, alongside a disproportionate rise in kerion presentations. The emergence of Trichophyton mentagrophytes represents a notable microbiological shift of current public health interest. The rise in suspected barber-associated transmission highlights a need for targeted prevention and education to reduce infection spread.

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