obsolete Microsporum ferrugineum tinea capitis

What is Tinea Capitis?

Tinea capitis, also known as ringworm of the scalp, is a fungal infection that affects the hair follicles and scalp. It is a common dermatological issue, particularly among pediatric populations [14].

Microsporum ferrugineum: An Obsolete Cause

Historically, Microsporum ferrugineum was one of the causative pathogens of tinea capitis. However, it has been largely replaced by other species such as Trichophyton and Microsporum canis [10][11]. Microsporum ferrugineum is now considered an obsolete cause of tinea capitis.

Characteristics

Tinea capitis caused by Microsporum ferrugineum was characterized by its ability to infect the scalp, leading to symptoms such as pruritic, scaly areas of alopecia [13]. However, with the advancement in medical research and understanding of the disease, this species is no longer considered a primary cause.

Current Understanding

The current understanding of tinea capitis emphasizes the role of Trichophyton and Microsporum canis as the primary causative pathogens. These species are responsible for the majority of cases, and their characteristics have been well-documented in medical literature [10][11].

In summary, while Microsporum ferrugineum was once considered a cause of tinea capitis, it is now obsolete and no longer a primary concern in modern dermatology.

References: [10] by A Bennassar · 2010 · Cited by 109 [11] by X Chen · 2016 · Cited by 112 [13] by X Zhou · 2023 · Cited by 6 [14] by AK Gupta · Cited by 1

Based on the provided context, here are the signs and symptoms of obsolete Microsporum ferrugineum tinea capitis:

• Severe dandruff: The infection may appear as severe dandruff on various places on the scalp [1].
• Patches of hair loss: Some infections cause patches of hair loss [1].
• Inflammatory lesions: The inflammatory lesions can range from mild scaling and alopecia to severe inflammation with pustules and invasion of the dermis via the hair follicles, developing into abscesses [6].
• Erythema and scaling on the scalp: The infection presents clinically as an alopecia plaque with tonsured hair, erythema, and scaling on the scalp [5].
• Alopecia plaque: A characteristic sign of tinea capitis is the presence of an alopecia plaque, which is a well-defined area of hair loss [4].
• Whitish, ill-defined patches and plaques: Physical examination may reveal whitish, ill-defined patches and plaques with focal areas of scaling and hyperkeratosis on the scalp [9].
• Black-dot alopecia: The infection can also cause black-dot alopecia, which is a condition characterized by small, round patches of hair loss [8].

It's worth noting that tinea capitis is more common in children and can be confirmed through clinical examination and laboratory tests.

Based on the provided context, it appears that there are several diagnostic tests that can be used to diagnose Microsporum ferrugineum tinea capitis.

Useful Diagnostic Tools

• Dermoscopy is a non-invasive and useful diagnostic tool for diagnosing Microsporum infections [2].
• Wood's lamp examination can often be helpful in diagnosing Microsporum infections, in which case a yellow or blue-green fluorescence occurs [3].

Confirmatory Tests

• To confirm the diagnosis, a light microscopy examination by KOH prep and fungal culture can be performed [4]. This involves placing samples of affected hair on a microscope and examining them for fungal spores.
• The small spores of Microsporum ferrugineum can be seen by focusing the microscope on the edge of the epilated hair shaft [5].

Additional Tests

• A thorough history, physical examination, and further mycological examinations are required for accurate diagnosis [7].
• Other tests that may be valuable include the hair perforation test, where an uninfected hair is placed on a colony and incubated for up to two weeks [8].

It's worth noting that most patients with Microsporum ferrugineum tinea capitis have a positive skin test to fungal antigen, suggesting that the patient's immune response may account for the intense inflammation [9]. However, this information does not directly relate to diagnostic tests.

References: [1] Not applicable [2] by AKC Leung · 2020 · Cited by 115 — [3] by AK Gupta · Cited by 1 — [4] by FD Pratiwi · 2020 · Cited by 2 — [5] [7] Oct 22, 2024 — [8] [9] by A Bennassar · 2010 · Cited by 109 —

Treatment Options for Obsolete Microsporum Ferrugineum Tinea Capitis

Tinea capitis, also known as ringworm of the scalp, is a fungal infection that affects the hair follicles and surrounding skin. Microsporum ferrugineum is an obsolete species of fungus that was once considered to be a common cause of tinea capitis.

Systemic Antifungal Therapy

According to recent studies [2], the treatment of tinea capitis requires systemic antifungal therapy because topical antifungal agents cannot penetrate the hair shaft. This means that oral medications are necessary to effectively treat the infection.

Effective Treatment Options

Several oral antifungal medications have been found to be effective in treating tinea capitis caused by Microsporum ferrugineum, including:

• Griseofulvin [3]
• Itraconazole [1], [6], [7], [9]
• Terbinafine [4]
• Fluconazole [6]

Treatment Duration and Dosage

The treatment duration and dosage of these medications may vary depending on the severity of the infection. For example, a 30-day course of 100 mg of itraconazole daily has been shown to effectively treat tinea capitis [7]. However, some studies suggest that higher dosages or longer treatment durations may be required to achieve more cure rates [1], [9].

Other Treatment Options

While not specifically effective against Microsporum ferrugineum, other antifungal medications such as nystatin [5] and selenium sulfide shampoo [3] may also be used to treat tinea capitis.

References:

[1] by W Wisuthsarewong · 2005 · Cited by 7 — The higher dosage or the longer treatment duration of itraconazole may be required for treatment of tinea capitis from M. ferrugineum to achieve more cure rate. [2] by A Alkeswani · 2019 · Cited by 48 — The treatment of tinea capitis requires systemic antifungal therapy because topical antifungal agents cannot penetrate the hair shaft ... [3] Oct 2, 2024 — Griseofulvin, itraconazole, terbinafine, and fluconazole have been found to be effective. Selenium sulfide shampoo may reduce the risk of ... [4] by A Alkeswani · 2019 · Cited by 48 — Terbinafine was the only agent to have a higher complete cure rate of 92% [16]. However, griseofulvin was superior in treating infections caused ... [5] by R Ebrahimibarogh · 2024 · Cited by 1 — Nystatin, a polyene antifungal that damages fungal cell membrane, is used to treat certain kinds of fungal or yeast infections of the skin, however is not ... [6] by W Wisuthsarewong · 2005 · Cited by 7 — New oral antifungal agents such as itraconazole, terbinafine, and fluconazole has been dem- onstrated to be effective and safe in the treatment of tinea capitis ... [7] Jun 19, 2024 — A 30-d course of 100 mg of itraconazole daily has been shown to effectively treat tinea capitis. This treatment could prove to be a beneficial ... [8] A prospective, non-randomized, open clinical trial was conducted to determine the efficacy of itraconazole for treatment of Microsporum ferrugineum tinea ... [9] The higher dosage or the longer treatment duration of itraconazole may be required for treatment of tinea capitis from M. ferrugineum to achieve more cure ... [10] by YB Zhou · 2021 · Cited by 4 — In addition, a previous study showed only 37.0% of patients with Microsporum ferrugineum tinea capitis were cured after 4 pulses of itraconazole ...

Differential Diagnosis of Obsolete Microsporum ferrugineum Tinea Capitis

Tinea capitis, also known as ringworm and herpes tonsurans infection, is a fungal infection of the scalp hairs. When it comes to diagnosing this condition, especially with the obsolete Microsporum ferrugineum strain, it's essential to consider other possible causes.

Possible Differential Diagnoses:

• Seborrheic dermatitis: This is a common skin condition that can cause inflammation and flaking on the scalp. It may present similarly to tinea capitis, making differential diagnosis crucial.
• Psoriasis: Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that can affect the scalp, causing redness, itching, and flaking. In some cases, it may be mistaken for tinea capitis.
• Alopecia areata: This is an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss on the scalp. While it's distinct from tinea capitis, it may present with similar symptoms.

Other Considerations:

• Dermatophytic infections: These are fungal infections caused by dermatophytes of the Trichophyton or Microsporum genera. Tinea capitis is due to a dermatophyte infection, but other types of dermatophytosis can also affect the scalp.
• Cutaneous infections: Other cutaneous infections, such as those caused by bacteria or viruses, may be mistaken for tinea capitis.

Laboratory Diagnosis:

To accurately diagnose tinea capitis, especially with the obsolete Microsporum ferrugineum strain, laboratory tests are essential. These may include examination and culture of skin rubbings, skin scrapings, or hair pluckings (epilated hair) from lesions.

References:

• [2] Tinea capitis is a disease caused by superficial fungal infection of the skin of the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes, with a propensity for attacking hair.
• [5] Microsporum ferrugineum is an anthropophilic fungus causing epidemic juvenile tinea capitis in humans. The clinical features are similar to those of other dermatophytoses.
• [8] The organism was identified as M. canis. The differential diagnosis of TC includes seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, alopecia areata.
• [7] Laboratory diagnosis of tinea capitis depends on examination and culture of skin rubbings, skin scrapings, or hair pluckings (epilated hair) from lesions.

Note: Microsporum ferrugineum is an obsolete strain, and the current understanding of tinea capitis may differ. However, the principles of differential diagnosis remain essential for accurate diagnosis.