Epidermophyton Floccosum as a Possible Etiological Agent of Tinea Capitis: A Case Report
April 2021
in “
Berkala ilmu kedokteran/Journal of the medical sciences
”
Studysummary This report describes a case of tinea capitis caused by Epidermophyton floccosum, highlighting its unusual ability to perforate hair and act as an etiological agent for the condition.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
In a case report from April 2021, a 15-year-old girl was diagnosed with tinea capitis, a fungal infection of the scalp, caused by Epidermophyton floccosum—a dermatophyte not commonly associated with this condition. The patient presented with itchy, scaly alopecia and was found to have lymphadenopathies and positive hair-pull test results. Trichoscopy revealed comma hairs, broken hairs, and black dots, while fungal culture confirmed the presence of E. floccosum. She was successfully treated with griseofulvin, cetirizine, and ketoconazole shampoo. This case highlights the unusual occurrence of E. floccosum causing tinea capitis, demonstrating its ability to infect and perforate hair shafts.
