Summary Background Tinea capitis is still common in developing countries, such as China. Its pathogen spectrum varies across regions and changes over time. Objectives This study aimed to clarify the current epidemiological characteristics and pathogen spectrum of tinea capitis in China. Methods A multicentre, prospective descriptive study involving 29 tertiary hospitals in China was conducted. From August 2019 to July 2020, 611 patients with tinea capitis were enrolled. Data concerning demography, risk factors and fungal tests were collected. When necessary, the pathogens were further identified by morphology or molecular sequencing in the central laboratory. Results Among all enrolled patients, 74·1% of the cases were in patients aged 2–8 years. The children with tinea capitis were mainly boys (56·2%) and were more likely than adults to have a history of animal contact (57·4% vs. 35·3%, P = 0·012) and zoophilic dermatophyte infection (73·5% vs. 47%). The adults were mainly female (83%) and were more likely than children to have anthropophilic agent infection (53% vs. 23·9%). The most common pathogen was zoophilic Microsporum canis (354, 65·2%), followed by anthropophilic Trichophyton violaceum (74, 13·6%). In contrast to the eastern, western and northeastern regions, where zoophilic M. canis predominated, anthropophilic T. violaceum predominated in central China (69%, P < 0·001), where the patients had the most tinea at other sites (20%) and dermatophytosis contact (26%) but the least animal contact (39%). Microsporum ferrugineum was the most common anthropophilic agent in the western area, especially in Xinjiang province. Conclusions Boys aged approximately 5 years were the most commonly affected group. Dermatologists are advised to pay more attention to the different transmission routes and pathogen spectra in different age groups from different regions.

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The efficacy and safety of amorolfine 5% nail lacquer in combination with systemic antifungal agents in the treatment of the onychomycosis were evaluated. According to our meta-analysis, combination treatment of amorolfine 5% nail lacquer and systemic antifungals can result in higher percentage of complete clearance of onychomycosis. It showed that the experimental combination group was more effective than monotherapy of the systemic antifungals [OR (odds ratio) = 1.97, 95%CI (95% confidence interval) = 1.44-2.69], and no more adverse events happened with the addition of amorolfine 5% nail lacquer (OR = .96, 95%CI = .56-1.63, p = .95). This effect strengthens the fact that amorolfine 5% nail lacquer in combination with systemic antifungal agents was better than the monotherapy of systemic antifungals like itraconazole and terbinafine.

This is a generalized superficial mycosis case from which Trichophyton raubitschekii was isolated. A male adult was presented with a 3-year history of fingernail and toenail changes, and a 50-day history of severe and multiple skin lesions. He also complained of intense itching. T. raubitschekii was identified from every skin lesion (trunk, extremities and nail) through microscopic examination, physiological experiment and DNA sequencing. Generalized superficial mycosis was diagnosed and treated by administering a combination of oral (terbinafine tablets) and topical (naftifine hydrochloride and ketoconazole cream) antimycotic drugs. After treatment, the patient was cured and no recurrence has been observed.

Sporotrichosis is a deep fungus infection caused by the Sporothrix . In China, the most common species is Sporothrix globosa which is difficult to treat with most antifungal drugs. Atypical clinical forms of sporotrichosis can be a hinder to clinicians for an early diagnosis and treatment. We report a case of fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis of the face caused by S. globosa in a healthy adult that was initially misdiagnosed as rosacea due to its unusual clinical features. We made an effort to dermoscopically track changes in skin lesions both before and after treatment, confirming that itraconazole was effective in the treatment of sporotrichosis.