Pityrosporum Folliculitis in Immunocompromised Populations: A Systematic Review

    March 2023 in “ Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology ”
    Maxwell Green, Nadia Kashetsky, Aileen Feschuk, Howard I. Maïbach
    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.
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