Two cases of scalp white piedra caused byTrichosporon ovoides

Abstract

Two females, aged 32 and 23 years, presented for evaluation of palpable nodules along the scalp hairs ABSTRACT White piedra is a superÞ cial 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 conÞ rmed on carbohydrate assimilation test. The Þ rst 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.

White piedra of scalp hair by Trichosporon inkin

“…[2] Higher incidence of piedra reported in Muslim females could be related to the custom of using veil which limits exposure to sunlight and increases humidity. From India, two cases reported by Tambe et al, [3] and 12 cases by Khandpur et al, [2] were also Muslim females as in this case. Limited exposure to sunlight predisposes to yeast infections; but its effect specifically on piedra needs to be studied further.…”

Trichosporon inkin and Trichosporon mucoides as unusual causes of white piedra of scalp hair

“…[4] Recent reports from India have implicated T. ovoides [9] and T. inkin in white piedra of the scalp hair. [2] One case due to T. ovoides reported by Shivprakash et al, was in a Sikh male in whom tying up of wet hair and increased humidity due to regular use of a turban may have been contributing factors.…”

Micosis superficiales

“…Puede afectar todos los grupos etarios y ambos sexos, pero los reporte iniciales son más frecuentes en hombres adultos jóvenes, localizada en la región genital, y en la raza negra 84,86,87 . En reportes más recientes, usualmente afecta el cuero cabelludo y es más frecuente en mujeres menores de 10 años 88,89,90 y adultas 82,91,92 .…”

“…No obstante, en 1992 y mediante técnicas moleculares, Gueho aisló seis especies del género Trichosporon que pueden ser patógenas: T. ovoides, T. inkin, T. cutaneum, T. asahii, T. mucoides y T. asteroides 94 . De estas especies, se ha encontrado mayor incidencia de T. ovoides en infecciones del cuero cabelludo y, de T. inkin, en lesiones púbicas 92,95 , aunque pueden presentarse casos contrarios 91,96 . Existen unos pocos informes de coinfección de piedra blanca genital con bacterias, principalmente con Corynebacterium 97,98 .…”