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Emerging Microbes & Infections Dec 2023Dermatophytic pseudomycetoma is a rare invasive infection, involving both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. Since the discovery of inherited immune...
Dermatophytic pseudomycetoma is a rare invasive infection, involving both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. Since the discovery of inherited immune disorders such as the impairment of gene, extended dermatophyte infections are mostly ascribed to any of these host factors. This study is to present and explore the potential causes in a fatal dermatophytic pseudomycetoma patient. We present a chronic and deep pseudomycetoma caused by the common dermatophyte which ultimately led to the death of the patient. Mycological examination, genetic studies and host immune responses against fungi were performed to explore the potential factors. The patient had decreased lymphocyte counts with significantly reduced CD4 T cells, although all currently known genetic parameters proved to be normal. Through functional studies, we demonstrated that peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the patient showed severe impairment of adaptive cytokine production upon fungus-specific stimulation, whereas innate immune responses were partially defective. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of fatal dermatophytic pseudomycetoma in a patient with non-HIV CD4 lymphocytopenia, which highlights the importance of screening for immune deficiencies in patients with deep dermatophytosis.
Topics: Humans; Dermatomycoses; Mycetoma; Female; Middle Aged; Microsporum; Fatal Outcome; Caspase 9; Receptors, Interleukin-7; Mutation; Rare Diseases; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; Immunity, Innate
PubMed: 37128909
DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2208685 -
Mycopathologia Oct 2023To investigate the current etiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic characteristics of tinea capitis in children in Jilin Province.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the current etiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic characteristics of tinea capitis in children in Jilin Province.
METHODS
Sixty pediatric patients with tinea capitis were enrolled between August 2020 and December 2021. Data on calcofluor white (CFW) fluorescence microscopy, fungal culture, Wood's lamp examination, dermoscopy, treatment, and follow-up were collected and analyzed.
RESULTS
1. Of all the enrolled patients, 48 had a history of animal contact, mostly with cats and dogs. Fifty-one strains were isolated, of which 46 were Microsporum canis (M. canis). 2. All enrolled patients were examined using fluorescence microscopy, and 59 were positive. Forty-one cases of tinea alba were examined using Wood's lamp, and 38 were positive. Forty-two cases of tinea alba were examined using dermoscopy, and 39 demonstrated specific signs. Effective treatment manifested as a fading bright green fluorescence, decreased mycelial/spore load, reduced specific dermoscopic signs, and hair regrowth. 3. Treatment was terminated in 23 and 37 cases based on mycological and clinical cures, respectively. No recurrence occurred during follow-up.
CONCLUSION
1. M. canis is the predominant pathogen causing tinea capitis in children in Jilin Province. Animal contact is considered the main risk factor. 2. CFW fluorescence microscopy, Wood's lamp, and dermoscopy can be used to diagnose ringworms and follow-up patients. 3. Both mycological and clinical cures can be the endpoint of adequate treatment for tinea capitis.
Topics: Humans; Child; Animals; Cats; Dogs; Tinea Capitis; Microsporum; Hair; Tinea
PubMed: 37022619
DOI: 10.1007/s11046-023-00718-0