Open AccessWhite Piedra: An Uncommon Superficial Fungal Infection of Hair
Author(s) -
Vishal Gaurav,
Chander Grover,
Shukla Das,
Gargi Rai
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
skin appendage disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2296-9195
pISSN - 2296-9160
DOI - 10.1159/000517807
Subject(s) - ketoconazole , trichosporon , dermatology , scalp , pathology , itraconazole , biology , hair shaft , nail (fastener) , clinical significance , mycosis , medicine , antifungal , hair follicle , immunology , genetics , materials science , metallurgy , yeast , microbiology and biotechnology
White piedra is a superficial fungal infection of hair caused by Trichosporon species. It presents clinically as white nodules encasing the hair shafts and may lead to increased fragility. It can usually be differentiated easily from clinically similar conditions based on clinical and microbiologic features. We report a case of white piedra of scalp hair in a 32-year-old female caused by T. ovoides , diagnosed using clinical, trichoscopic, microbiologic and molecular methods. In this case, trichoscopy acted as an interface between clinical and microbiologic examination, obviating the need for hair shaft microscopy. The genus Trichosporon contains 6 species of clinical significance viz., T. asahii, T. asteroides, T. cutaneum, T. inkin, T. mucoides , and T. ovoides , which cannot be differentiated based on their morphologic characteristics. A genotypic identification using molecular methods helped determine the causative species. It was treated successfully with oral itraconazole and topical ketoconazole.