Tinea nigra palmaris: a clinical case in a rural Ethiopian hospital

Abstract

Tinea nigra is an infrequent, superficial fungal infection, mainly caused by Hortaea werneckii, which is still underreported in Ethiopia. An asymptomatic 62-year-old male patient sought a rural hospital of Ethiopia, showing dark plaques on the palms of both hands. A superficial mycosis was suspected and a direct light microscopic mycological examination from skin scrapings revealed short brownish hyphae. To our knowledge, this is the first case of tinea nigra from the Ethiopian highlands. This may be due to the actual rarity of the condition or to underreporting.

Tinea Nigra Palmaris

“…Tinea nigra was first described by Cerqueira as a superficial phaeohyphomycosis affecting palms and occasionally the soles . In 1921, the organism was identified and called Cladosporium werneckii , later renamed Hortae werneckii .…”

“…Treatment is usually topical antifungals and keratolytics like salicylic acid and urea. At times, vigorous washing and scraping of the lesion can result in resolution . Tinea nigra remains an underreported superficial mycosis, especially in Southeast Asia, including India, and South America.…”