Non-Albicans Yeast Scalp Infection in a 6-Year-Old Boy: A Case Report of Candida Parapsilosis and Antifungal Susceptibility Testing

    July 2023 in “ Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) ”
    Yahaya Hassan, Jamilu Abubakar Bala, Sharif Alhassan Abdullahi, Leslie Thian Lung Than
    From the encyclopedia
    Hydrocortisone →

    a synthetic cortisol used for anti-inflammatory effects

    Betamethasone →
    Ketoconazole →

    antifungal with some anti-androgenic benefits, often used as a shampoo

    Studysummary This case report describes a 6-year-old boy with a scalp infection caused by Candida parapsilosis, which was successfully treated with 2% ketoconazole ointment after other treatments failed; antifungal susceptibility testing showed variable drug resistance. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
    This case report describes a 6-year-old boy with a scalp infection caused by Candida parapsilosis, presenting symptoms such as itching, dryness, round patches, and alopecia. Initial treatments with hydrocortisone and betamethasone were ineffective. The patient was successfully treated with 2% ketoconazole topical ointment over 8 weeks, leading to hair regrowth after 6 weeks and full recovery by the end of treatment. Antifungal susceptibility testing revealed high minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for newer triazoles like posaconazole and itraconazole, while micafungin and amphotericin B showed low MIC values, indicating effectiveness. The study underscores the importance of recognizing C. parapsilosis in scalp infections and highlights ketoconazole's efficacy and cost-effectiveness in treatment.
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