Mycosis of the Plantar Surface of Foot Owing to Nondermatophyte Mold Nodulisporium griseobrunneum Mimicking a Tinea Pedis.

Nondermatophyte molds (NDM) and dematiaceous molds are less frequently implicated as the etiological agents of tinea-like infections of the foot. Among the etiological agents, Hendersonula toruloidea (now, Nattrassia mangiferae), Scytalidium hyalinum, Alternaria species (spp.), and Fusarium spp. are infrequently associated with foot mycoses. Nodulisporium (N.) spp. is a mitosporic NDM, which has been implicated in human infections like cerebral phaeohyphomycosis and allergic fungal sinusitis. Here, we report N. griseobrunneum in a 9-year-old female with mycosis of the plantar surface of foot mimicking a tinea pedis. Potassium hydroxide mount of skin specimen demonstrated dichotomous branching septate hyphae. Fungal culture and molecular sequencing established N. griseobrunneum as the etiological agent. Antifungal susceptibility testing revealed lower MICs to all seven drugs tested including itraconazole (ITR). The patient was treated with ITR and topical terbinafine. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first communication depicting molecular confirmation of the etiologic agent and antifungal susceptibility data of the mycosis of the plantar surface of foot owing to N. griseobrunneum from India.

First Report of Concomitant Tinea Faciei and Pityriasis Folliculorum: A Dermatomicrobiological Rarity.

Tinea faciei (TF) is a common dermatomicrobiological condition caused by dermatophytes involving the skin of the face but not the mustache and beard (Tinea barbae). It poses a diagnostic dilemma with its atypical clinical presentation. Pityriasis folliculorum (PF) is a dermatological condition that results in rosacea-like skin eruptions. It was previously associated with a human ectoparasitic infestation. Demodex mites (Demodex folliculorum) is a group of obligate parasites that live on the skin of mammals. These mites have been associated with various dermatological disorders, clinically termed as demodicosis. Insects have been described as potential vectors that can carry various microorganisms and especially spores of fungi. Hence, infestation by such insects may aggravate the already present skin condition, leading to secondary infections. There has been a change in the trend of dermatophytosis worldwide and infections caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytesvar.interdigitale (T. interdigitale) are increasing. Hence, there is an urgent need for a thorough investigation of an infectious etiology among various skin disorders. This is the first report of concomitant Tinea faciei and Pityriasis folliculorum involving facial skin.