A clinical study on Microsporum canis infections in Wonju City and neighboring Kangwon Provinces

During the past 2 years; June, 1985 to May, 1987, 564 cases with dermatophytosis who visited the Dermatology Clinic of Wonju Christian Hospital were studied for Microsporum (M.) canis infection by mycological examination. The incidence of M. canis infection found to be 16.3%. The monthly distribution was the highest in January and lowest in August. The ratio of male to female patient was 1 : 1. Most of the cases (80.0%) were found in children under the age of 10. Tinea capitis was the most common clinical type of dermatophytosis caused by M. canis. Patients who had a history of contact with domestic cats (27.5%) or dogs (6.3%) were observed in 27 cases and family infections were observed in 22 cases. The incidence of patients with the noninflammatory and inflammatory lesions in tinea capitis was similar. Most of patients with tinea corporis exhibited multiple, smaller than 2 cm in diameter, annular patches having pustules or papules.