Kerion Celsi: a clinical epidemiological study

Inflammatory ringworm due to Microsporum audouinii, case of a severe form in an immunocompetent girl in Mauritania

Introduction

Ringworms of the scalp are very commons in Mauritania and among them; inflammatory ringworms are representing very rare forms. We present the case of a severe inflammatory ringworm caused by an anthropophilic dermatophyte, Microsporum audouini.

Observation

This is an 8-years-old girl with ulcerative lesions on the scalp without adenopathy, without fever and in a good general condition. Direct examination of the mycological sample of hair and scales showed the presence of ecto-trix spores. Culture in SCA media allowed the identification of Microsporum audouini. The establishment of an antifungal treatment orally and a local antiseptic allowed to have a clinical and mycological remission after 30 days.

Conclusion

Microsporum audouinii is most often responsible for very soft trichophytia, but under certain conditions, it can cause inflammatory ringworm.

Epidemiologic features and risk of scarring in pediatric patients with kerion celsi

BACKGROUND

Kerion celsi represents the inflammatory extreme of tinea capitis, as a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to the causative dermatophyte. Data regarding prevalence, trends in pathogens, and risk factors for scarring are limited.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of the study is to assess clinical and epidemiologic features of children with kerion celsi and risk factors for scarring.

METHODS

We reviewed medical records of pediatric patients with kerion celsi treated between January 2006 and July 2020.

RESULTS

Among 80 patients, the prevalence of permanent alopecia was 27.5%. Patients with remaining alopecia presented to our clinic at a mean 1.3 months earlier than those with complete response to treatment (2.2 ± 2.1 and 3.4 ± 4.8, respectively; p < .05). Patients of Ethiopian ethnicity were more represented than in the general population; however, scarring was observed in only 11% (p = 0.08). Outcomes did not differ by pathogen, antifungal treatment prescribed, duration of treatment, or the use of prednisone or antibiotics.

CONCLUSIONS

Scarring alopecia is a common complication of kerion celsi. Host innate immune response, pathogen virulence, and treatment timeline should be considered as possible variables affecting risk of scarring in the future studies.

Kerion celsi due to Microsporum audouinii: a severe form in an immunocompetent girl

A 9-year-old girl presented a large inflammatory cup-shaped scalp lesion with alopecia surrounded by pustules, dander, and suppuration associated with an occipital inflammatory lymphadenopathy for 1 month. Wood's light exam was positive as well as KOH mount showing ectothrix type hair involvement. Hair and pus culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) added with chloramphenicol and supplemented with cycloheximide isolated a dermatophyte species identified as Microsporum audouinii according to the colonies features. Species identification was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and the patient was treated for kerion celsi with terbinafine tablets 125 mg per day associated with a ketoconazole-based shampoo. The evolution was favorable, with hair regrowth after 2 months.

Multiomics Analysis Reveals Molecular Abnormalities in Granulosa Cells of Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common complex endocrine and metabolic disease in women of reproductive age. It is characterized by anovulatory infertility, hormone disorders, and polycystic ovarian morphology. Regarding the importance of granulosa cells (GCs) in the pathogenesis of PCOS, few studies have investigated the etiology at a single “omics” level, such as with an mRNA expression array or methylation profiling assay, but this can provide only limited insights into the biological mechanisms. Here, genome-wide DNA methylation together with lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA profiles were simultaneously detected in GCs of PCOS cases and controls. A total of 3579 lncRNAs, 49 miRNAs, 669 mRNAs, and 890 differentially methylated regions (DMR)-associated genes were differentially expressed between PCOS cases and controls. Pathway analysis indicated that these differentially expressed genes were commonly associated with steroid biosynthesis and metabolism-related signaling, such as glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. In addition, we constructed ceRNA networks and identified some known ceRNA axes, such as lncRNAs-miR-628-5p-CYP11A1/HSD17B7. We also identified many new ceRNA axes, such as lncRNAs-miR-483-5p-GOT2. Interestingly, most ceRNA axes were also closely related to steroid biosynthesis and metabolic pathways. These findings suggest that it is important to systematically consider the role of reproductive and metabolic genes in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Severe kerion celsi due to Trichophyton mentagrophytes: a case report

We report on a 5-year-old girl with a severe kerion celsi, caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes, probably acquired from a pet guinea pig. The lesions had started as small irritating squamous lesions that had been accurately diagnosed as skin infection, but had only been treated with local antifungal agents. The lesions progressed and developed into a kerion celsi that had to be treated with long-term systemic griseofulvin. Nevertheless, reinfection occurred and treatment had to be restarted. The girl is left with areas of alopecia, as a result of which she is required to wear a wig.

CONCLUSION

Tinea capitis is a common skin infection that should be considered in any type of scalp lesion. It requires systemic treatment, and inappropriate and delayed treatment can result in the development of kerion celsi, with sometimes devastating consequences.

A case of kerion celsi caused by Microsporum gypseum in a boy following dermatoplasty for a scalp wound from a road accident

We report a rare case of kerion celsi of the scalp caused by Microsporum gypseum in a boy 1 month after he received dermatoplasty for a scalp injury from a road accident. Species identification was performed by observation of morphologic and biochemical characteristics and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) 1 and 2. Treatment with oral terbinafine and topical naftifine-ketoconazole cream after washing the hair with ketoconazole shampoo was effective.

Cytobrush-culture method to diagnose tinea capitis

This is a comparative study to isolate the dermatophytes of tinea capitis using the cytobrush and comparing it versus the standard method. A prospective, observational, comparative trial of 178 probable cases of tinea capitis was conducted in two dermatological centers. Each patient underwent mycological tests that included direct exam with KOH and cultures with either of two methods: scraping the scalp to remove hair and cell debris, and the cytobrush. A total of 135 clinically and mycologically proven cases of tinea capitis were included; 119 were non-inflammatory and 16 inflammatory tinea. A total of 131 had a positive direct exam and subsequent primary isolation cultures were obtained in 135 cases. The main dermatophytes isolated were Microsporum canis (68%) and Trichophyton tonsurans (20%). A total of 115/135 (85.1%), were detected with the traditional method, with an average of 11.2 days until positive, while the number detected with the cytobrush was 132/135 (97.7%) with an average of 8.5 days until positive. The chi-square statistical method showed that the cytobrush culture was superior to the standard one with a chi-square of 5.078 (P = 0.025), with a statistically significant difference versus the standard method.

Trichophyton mentagrophytes of rabbit origin causing family incidence of kerion: an environmental study

Our laboratory was contacted by a family living directly above a rabbit farm. Both their children had developed a kerion, in consequence of a misdiagnosed superficial mycosis. This study was designed to demonstrate a link between the two kerion cases and the environmental contamination. The degree of contamination was estimated and factors favourising the spread of infection were determined. Dermatophytes were isolated from various environmental sites using Rodac plates. For direct sampling of scalp and fur the brushing technique was used. The farm and home environment initially showed a severe contamination by Trichophyton mentagrophytes. At the farm, cages and surfaces covered with rabbit hair were strongly contaminated. As for the home environment, the dog's basket and clothes from the mother carried a large number of spores. Trichophyton mentagrophytes was identified as responsible agent for the children's kerions and the lesions of the rabbits. Mother, eldest child and dog seemed to be excellent carriers. Cleaning and disinfection measures resulted in a reduction of the overall contamination. The home environment was no longer a source of contamination. Nevertheless, on the farm a fair number of dermatophytes could still be isolated from the wire meshes and roof beams covered with fluff.

Oral antifungal-exacerbated inflammatory flare-up reactions of dermatomycosis : case reports and review of the literature

Inflammatory flare-up reactions of some dermatomycoses, particularly those caused by zoophilic fungi, are typical and potentially severe adverse effects following the intake of some oral antifungals. However, this condition has not previously been reported with the most frequently used antifungals in dermatology, namely fluconazole, itraconazole, and terbinafine. In this report, we describe five patients, observed over a 10-year period, who presented with inflammatory exacerbations following oral antifungal therapy for dermatomycoses. We also review the literature on inflammatory reactions exacerbated by oral antifungal agents. Details of the patients' age, sex, occupation, and atopic background; the site of the lesion, its clinical and histologic features, and any systemic signs; the identity of the fungal pathogen; the antifungal agent taken by the patient; the time between drug intake and occurrence of the flare-up; the approach to management; and the outcome were documented for each patient. A PubMed literature search was also conducted, focusing on inflammatory exacerbations induced by griseofulvin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, and terbinafine. The patients were four farmers and one veterinarian (all male). All primary lesions were inflammatory dermatophytoses, including one kerion. Inflammatory exacerbation of the skin lesions started 12-24 hours after the intake of oral antifungals. Mild systemic changes, including slight fever and malaise, occurred in two cases. Itraconazole 400 mg/day was implicated as the causative agent in four cases and terbinafine 250 mg/day in one case. Mycologic cultures grew Trichophytonverrucosum in four cases. Antifungal treatment was discontinued in all patients. Oral and topical corticosteroids were administered to the two patients with systemic changes; the other three patients were treated with topical corticosteroids only. Two days after the onset of corticosteroids, lower doses of itraconazole (100 mg/day) and terbinafine (125 mg/day) were reintroduced. All lesions healed after 4-5 weeks. The PubMed search did not identify any articles that described inflammatory exacerbations of dermatomycoses induced by oral antifungals. Inflammatory flare-up of dermatomycoses is a rare but potentially severe cutaneous complication of oral antifungal use. Occupational contact with animals, inflammatory dermatomycoses, and zoophilic fungi represent common features in these patients. Although evidence-based data are not available, clinical experience shows that, in addition to antifungal therapy, topical and/or systemic corticosteroids are helpful to reduce the inflammatory reactions. The cases described in this article represent the first published report of oral antifungal-exacerbated inflammatory flare-up reactions of dermatomycosis in patients taking itraconazole or terbinafine.

Kerion Celsi in a newborn due to Microsporum canis. Fallbericht. Durch Microsporum canis verursachtes Kerion Celsi bei einem Neugeborenen

The present study deals with a case of a 40-day-old girl with kerion Celsi caused by Microsporum canis. The source of the infection were the parents who presented tinea corporis caused by M. canis. Systemic treatment was carried out with terbinafine and complete recovery was achieved. Tinea capitis is unusual in children during their first year of life and its evolution towards kerion is very rare in newborns.