Influence of systemic corticotherapy on the triggering of pityriasis versicolor

Abstract

Pityriasis versicolor is a frequent mycosis and the use of systemic corticotherapy is one of its predisposing factors. This is an observational, cross-sectional, analytical and comparative study, conducted from January 2012 to January 2013 in the following outpatient clinics: Dermatology Service, Cassiano Antonio Moraes Hospital (HUCAM), Vitória, ES, Brazil; Nephrology Service, HUCAM; and Leprosy Department, Maruípe Health Unit, Vitória, ES, Brazil. Patients, undergoing long-term systemic corticotherapy (or not), were assessed with respect to the presence of pityriasis versicolor. If there was mycosis, a direct mycological examination would be carried out. The spss 17.0 software was used for the statistical analysis. From the total of 100 patients, nine had pityriasis versicolor, being eight from the corticotherapy group and one from the group with no use of corticosteroids. Regarding the patients with mycosis, the prevalent age ranged from 20 to 39 years, with six patients; six were women; seven mixed race; eight were undergoing long-term systemic corticotherapy; seven were taking low-dose systemic corticosteroids; four had leucocytosis; five had normal total cholesterol and triglycerides; and four had normal glycaemia. There was increased frequency of pityriasis versicolor in the group undergoing systemic corticotherapy with statistical significance, corroborating the only study on the topic (1962).

Folliculocentric tinea versicolor

“…He et al state that up to 21% of patients report a positive family history implying a possible genetic predisposition [9]. Alternative risk factors for TV include heat, humidity, excessive perspiration, Cushing syndrome, long-term immunosuppressive corticosteroid use, pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, and poor nutrition [10][11][12]. Under the conditions associated with these risk factors, the yeast form of Malassezia changes to the mycelial form leading to clinical disease.…”

Tinea versicolor: an updated review

“…Predisposing factors for the conversion include a hot and humid environment, hyperhidrosis, application of oily lotion or cream to the skin, wearing of masks, excessive lipid-containing sebaceous secretions, malnutrition, poor general health, use of oral contraceptives, pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, use of topical or systemic corticosteroids, Cushing disease, Helicobacter pylori infection, immunodeficiency and genetic predisposition. [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] A recent study showed oxidative stress has no role in the pathogenesis of tinea versicolor. 29…”