[Frontal fibrosing alopecia: Report on three pediatric cases]. / Alopécie frontale fibrosante : à propos de trois cas pédiatriques.

BACKGROUND: Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a topographic form of lichen planopilaris, which most commonly affects postmenopausal women. We report on three original pediatric cases of this scarring alopecia, including one case of female twins. OBSERVATIONS: The first observation concerns twin sisters, 14 years of age, with frontotemporal symmetric and progressive alopecia, beginning at the age of 5 years, with follicular facial noninflammatory micropapules. Histological examination showed a depletion of hair follicles with dermal fibrosis and perivascular infiltrate. The treatment decided was monthly intralesional infiltrations of betamethasone. The second case is a 7-year-old girl, with a frontotemporal alopecia band and partial alopecia of the eyebrows. Histological examination was consistent with lichen planopilaris. The outcome was favorable after six monthly oral boluses of steroids. COMMENT AND CONCLUSION: The initial description of frontal fibrosing alopecia was made in postmenopausal women. Some cases have been reported subsequently in premenopausal women as well as in men, with recent identification of familial cases. To our knowledge, these are the first pediatric cases of this form of alopecia, which is not only postmenopausal.

[Tinea capitis in the military hospital Avicenna (Morocco): Review of 8 years (2006-2013)]. / Teignes du cuir chevelu à l'hôpital militaire Avicenne de Marrakech (Maroc): bilan de 8ans (2006-2013).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Tinea capitis are due to fungal infection by dermatophytes. They are common in developing countries including Morocco. The objective of this study intended to describe the epidemiology, clinical and mycological profile of tinea capitis in Avicenna military hospital of Marrakech. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study over an 8-year period (from 1st January 2006 to 31st December 2013). All patients targeted through this study presented to the laboratory with the suspicion of tinea capitis, they were under a detailed investigation with a careful mycological analysis; diagnosis of tinea capitis was established as the direct examination and/or the sampling proved positive. RESULTS: Of the 334 patients investigated, 216 had a TC with an overall prevalence of 64.67%. The average age was 6 years. The M/F sex ratio was 0.55. The isolated dermatophytes were Microsporum canis with 105 cases (63.26%), Trichophyton violaceum in 44 cases (26.51%), T. mentographytes in 8 cases (4.81%), M. langeronii in 5 cases (3.01%), T. verrucosum in 3 cases (1.8%) and T. schoenleinii in 1 case (0.61%). The contact with animals was found in 40% of cases and immunosupression in 3.47% of cases. We verify through our investigation that tineas predominate among school age children with a female predominance. The epidemiological profile of TC in our study is similar to that of other studies in Moroccan and Maghrebian countries investigations. CONCLUSION: The TC is relatively a mild infection but can be confused with other dermatoses not easy to diagnose. For this reason, their treatment necessitates a mycological analysis.

[Cutaneous cryptococcosis mimicking basal cell carcinoma and revealing systemic involvement in acquired immunodeficiency]. / Cryptococcose cutanée mimant un carcinome basocellulaire et révélant une atteinte systémique sur immunodéficience acquise.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcosis is a rare and a serious opportunistic infection that occurs primarily on the field of immunodeficiency. We report a case of disseminated cryptococcosis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome revealed by unusual skin lesions. OBSERVATION: A 52-year-old patient consulted for two crusty ulcerative lesions situated on the left supraorbital and on the nasal tip that appeared 6 months ago. He also reported respiratory symptoms present since one year, with dry cough and dyspnea, chronic headache and vomiting with no alteration in visual acuity. The mycological study of the skin biopsy on both lesions isolated Cryptococcus neoformans as well as in the sputum and cerebrospinal fluid. Serology of human immunodeficiency virus infection was positive. Treatment with fluconazole, local care and antiretroviral triple therapy was implemented. DISCUSSION: Skin lesions during cryptococcosis are rare and observed in 2-10% of cases. Cutaneous symptoms were the reason for consultation in our patient. This is a rare form of cutaneous cryptococcosis leading to the discovery of both pulmonary and central nervous system locations, and to diagnosis of HIV infection.