TLDR Asymptomatic cats can spread scalp infections to humans.
The study reported a case of inflammatory tinea capitis in a 4-year-old girl, caused by Microsporum canis, which was transmitted from asymptomatic domestic cats. Despite initial treatment with antibiotics and corticosteroids, the condition persisted until it was identified as a fungal infection. The infection was confirmed through culture and molecular analysis, which matched the strains found in the patient's three Persian cats. After 12 weeks of oral terbinafine treatment, the girl's hair regrew completely. The study highlighted the potential for asymptomatic cats to be a source of tinea capitis in humans and suggested that microsatellite marker analysis could be useful for tracing transmission routes.
21 citations
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February 2009 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Some cases of tinea capitis, a fungal scalp infection, can look like scarring hair loss due to the body's immune response and the fungus itself.
October 2022 in “Gadua Journal of Pure and Allied Science” Terbinafine is the most effective treatment for tinea capitis, a scalp infection often confused with other conditions.
156 citations
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September 2014 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” Accurate diagnosis and effective oral treatment are key to managing tinea capitis and preventing its spread.
January 2025 in “Journal of Fungi” Advanced dermoscopy techniques improve diagnosis and treatment monitoring for Kerion celsi but don't guarantee full hair regrowth.
28 citations
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March 2010 in “Clinics in dermatology” Doctors have known about fungal skin infections for a long time, but only made major progress in understanding and treating them since the mid-1800s.
July 2018 in “Elsevier eBooks” Up to half of people experience itchy scalp, often due to skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis, and treatments vary based on the specific cause.
