Cat Contact as a Risk Factor for Tinea Capitis Infection
TLDR Touching cats can increase the risk of getting a fungal scalp infection, especially in boys and kids over 5.
The study investigated the association between cat contact and Tinea capitis (TC) infections in 20 patients at a hospital in Surabaya from January 2017 to December 2018. It found that 45% of the patients had contact with cats, with the majority being male (55.6%) and older than 5 years (55.6%). The most common symptoms were crust and hair loss, and Microsporum canis was the most frequently identified pathogen (55.6%). The study concluded that contact with cats is a significant risk factor for TC, especially in males and children over 5, and recommended treatment with oral Griseofulvin and Ketoconazole 2% scalp solution. It also emphasized the need for parental education on the risks of cat contact and called for more research on TC risk factors and epidemiology.
