RESUMO
White piedra of scalp hair is considered a rare entity. We report three cases of this disorder all of whom presented with nodules on the hair. Potassium hydroxide preparations of the hair revealed clustered arthrospores and mature, easily detachable nodules. Cultures grew Trichosporon inkin in 2 patients and Trichosporon mucoides in one patient. Both these fungi are unusual causes of white piedra.
Assuntos
Cabelo/microbiologia , Piedra/diagnóstico , Dermatoses do Couro Cabeludo/diagnóstico , Trichosporon/isolamento & purificação , Adulto , Criança , Feminino , Cabelo/patologia , Humanos , Masculino , Piedra/complicações , Couro Cabeludo/microbiologia , Couro Cabeludo/patologia , Dermatoses do Couro Cabeludo/etiologiaRESUMO
White piedra is a rare fungal infection of hair and is reported to be all the more rare on scalp. Trichosporon inkin is usually associated with white piedra of pubic hair. We report a case of white piedra of scalp hair caused by T. inkin. This is the first case reported from India and the fifth case reported worldwide. A 50-year-old Muslim female presented with white knots over scalp hair. Diagnosis of Trichosporon was made by examining KOH mounts of epilated hair and Lactophenol Cotton Blue preparations of the growth in culture. Automated mini-API test (for biochemical profiles) and Electronmicroscopy studies (for cell wall structures) helped in identification of the species. Mini-API test was also positive for Cryptococcus curvatus which could be due to similarity in biochemical and physiological properties of the two species. Absence of C. curvatus on culture further supports this view. Topical antifungal therapy resulted in clinical clearance within 2 months. Higher incidence of scalp white piedra is observed in Muslim females; contributing factor being the custom of using a veil, leading to higher humidity and limited sunlight exposure.
Assuntos
Piedra/diagnóstico , Couro Cabeludo/patologia , Trichosporon/isolamento & purificação , Clotrimazol/administração & dosagem , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Piedra/tratamento farmacológico , Trichosporon/efeitos dos fármacos , Trichosporon/crescimento & desenvolvimentoRESUMO
White piedra is a superficial fungal infection of the hair shaft, caused by Trichosporon beigelii . We report two cases of white piedra presenting as brown palpable nodules along the hair shaft with a fragility of scalp hairs. T. beigelii was demonstrated in hair culture of both the patients and T. ovoides as a species was confirmed on carbohydrate assimilation test. The first patient responded to oral itraconazole and topical ketoconazole, with a decrease in the palpability of nodules and fragility of scalp hairs at the end of two months.