A clinical, mycological and epidemiological study on tinea barbae during the last 24-year-period (1981-2004)

Background: Tinea barbae(TB) is a rare dermatophytosis localized on the bearded areas of the face and neck. Objective: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the epidemiological, clinical and mycological characteristics of TB. Methods: During the 24-year-period from 1983 to 2004, 74 patients with TB were evaluated in regard to annual incidence, the distribution of the subjects according to age, season, involved site, occupation, a place of residence and concurrent fungal infection. Patients with TB were further assessed concerning causative agents by fungal culture and their association with clinical type and a place of residence. Results: In epidemiologic aspect, annual incidence was increased until 1989, thereafter gradually decreased. TB showed peak incidence in April in monthly distribution. TB occurred predominantly in middle-aged adults, especially in fifties in age distribution and countryfolk in residential distribution. In clinical aspect, superficial type was the most common in clinical types, followed by follicular and kerion type. Upper lip was affected mostly. In mycologic aspect, fungal culture showed positive results in 57 patients. Trichophyton(T.) rubrum was the most common causative agents followed by T. mentagrophytes and T. verrucosum. Thirty six patients had concurrent fungal infection and tinea pedis was the most common. Conclusion: The result suggests that although the incidence of TB is decreasing, it is important not only to isolate cattle with dermatophytoses from people but also to treat concurrent dermatophytoses in order to decrease the incidence.