Misdiagnosed dermatophytosis

Atypical and Unpredictable Superficial Mycosis Presentations: A Narrative Review

While typically exhibiting characteristic features, fungal infections can sometimes present in an unusual context, having improbable localization (eyelid, face, or joint); mimicking other skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, or mycosis fungoides; and appearing with unexpected color, shape, or distribution. The emergence of such a challenging clinical picture is attributed to the complex interplay of host characteristics (hygiene and aging population), environment (climate change), advances in medical procedures, and agent factors (fungal resistance and species emergence). We aim to provide a better understanding of unusual epidemiological contexts and atypical manifestations of fungal superficial diseases, knowing that there is no pre-established clinical guide for these conditions. Thus, a literature examination was performed to provide a comprehensive analysis on rare and atypical superficial mycosis as well as an update on certain fungal clinical manifestations and their significance. The research and standard data extraction were performed using PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and EMBASE databases, and a total of 222 articles were identified. This review covers published research findings for the past six months.

Tinea capitis: study of asymptomatic carriers and sick adolescents, adults and elderly who live with children with the disease

Tinea capitis is a dermatophyte infection that occurs mainly in childhood; there are few reports, in Brazil, in adolescents and adults. The detection of asymptomatic carriers is of great importance in the disease control. From February 1998 to February 1999, a study was performed at the outpatient Dermatologic Unit of Instituto de Puericultura e Pediatria Martagão Gesteira (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil) to verify the frequency of asymptomatic carriers and tinea capitis between 79 adolescents, adults and elderly who lived in the same household of 56 children (0-12 years) with tinea capitis. Of these, one female and one male adults (2.5%) were asymptomatic carriers and the cultures revealed Trichophyton tonsurans and Microsporum canis respectively. One female adolescent and two female adults (3.8%) had tinea capitis and all cultures revealed Trichophyton tonsurans. The study has shown that adolescents and adults who live in the same household of children with tinea capitis may be sick or asymptomatic carriers.

Kerion--clinical spectrum in nine cases

The clinical features, microbiology and outcome of nine cases of kerion are reviewed. The aetiology of this uncommon condition, and the role of various therapeutic modalities are discussed. Clinicians need to be aware of the varying presentations of inflammatory fungal disease to avoid misdiagnosis as bacterial infection.