Semiquantitative study of tinea capitis and the asymptomatic carrier state in inner-city school children.

Abstract

We found that inner-city black school children who are asymptomatic carriers of T tonsurans had lower spore loads than index cases. Index cases did not appear to be the primary mode of transmission within a classroom. More than half of untreated asymptomatic carriers remained culture-positive after 2 months and probably play a role in the transmission of tinea capitis within this population.