Pityrosporum Folliculitis in Immunocompromised Populations: A Systematic Review
March 2023
in “
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
”
TLDR Treating underlying conditions and using antifungals effectively resolve Pityrosporum folliculitis in immunocompromised people.
This systematic review examines Pityrosporum folliculitis (PF) in immunocompromised populations, analyzing 20 studies with a total of 50 patients (mean age: 38.82 years; 86.8% male). PF, often misdiagnosed as acne vulgaris, is linked to immunosuppression and antibiotic use, with common occurrences on the shoulders/back and chest. The review found that PF lesions resolved in 88.9% of patients treated with oral antifungals, 92.3% with topicals, and 100% treated for underlying conditions. The study highlights the importance of considering PF in refractory acne cases and suggests topical antifungals and treatment of underlying conditions as effective first-line management strategies. Limitations include small sample sizes and potential underreporting.