Tinea barbae profunda caused by Trichophyton rubrum – an autoinoculation from a primary Tinea pedis

Abstract

Tinea barbae profunda is a rare mycotic infection of the beard, caused by dermatophytic fungi. Patients with suppressed immune systems and severe comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus, are more prone to this disease, but it could also be seen in agricultural workers and stockbreeders. The most frequent etiological agents of this infection are the zoophilic dermatophytes. But in rare cases, an infection with anthropophilic dermatophytes as Trichophyton rubrum can be observed. We present a case of a 55-year-old patient with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and tinea barbae profunda, caused by Trichophyton rubrum, as a consequence of autoinoculation from concomitant Tinea pedis. The patient was treated with oral antibiotics before admission to the clinic, but with no effect due to incorrect diagnosis and lack of mycological laboratory investigations. A satisfactory therapeutic outcome was achieved after a two-month course with antimycotic medications.

Tinea pedis: an updated review

“… 96 – 99 The fungus can spread to other parts of the body such as the nails (onychomycosis), groin (tinea cruris), hands (tinea manuum), bearded areas (tinea barbae) and face (tinea faciei). 100 The fungus can invade the hair follicle, leading to the formation of perifollicular granulomatous inflammation (Majocchi granuloma). 12 Invasion of subcutaneous tissue results in subcutaneous dermatophytosis.…”