Obtaining Hairs for Fungus Culture

1982 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
pp. 263-263
Keyword(s):  
Hair Loss ◽  
Tinea Capitis ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Fungal Culture ◽  
Fungus Culture ◽  
Scalpel Blade

An observant reader wrote that in two separate articles ("Hair Loss in Children" 3:85, 1981 and "Fungal Infections in Children" 3:41, 1981), the first author recommends that "hairs be scraped with a dull blade to obtain a specimen for culture," while the second author states that "hairs obtained by examination must be epilated, not cut." Dr. Esterly responded with the following clarification: When obtaining hair from patients with tinea capitis for fungal culture, it is important to secure the infected follicular portion of the shaft. In patients with very little hair remaining in the infected patch, it may be impossible to grasp the hair with the forceps or tweezers. Under those circumstances, the root ends can be teased out of the follicular orifices with the tip of a scalpel blade. At times, the hairs are long enough to be epilated with a hemostat or tweezers. In these instances the hairs should be firmly grasped and the follicular portions removed for placement on agar for culture. Cut hairs are not adequate for culture because one misses the infected portion of the hair which is still embedded in the scalp.

scholarly journals Different Trichoscopic Features of Tinea Capitis and Alopecia Areata in Pediatric Patients

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abd-Elaziz El-Taweel ◽  
Fatma El-Esawy ◽  
Osama Abdel-Salam
Keyword(s):  
Hair Loss ◽  
Alopecia Areata ◽  
Tinea Capitis ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Skin Surface ◽  
Fungal Culture ◽  
Exclamation Mark ◽  
Laboratory Investigations ◽  
Vellus Hairs ◽  
Clinical Dermatology

Background. Diagnosis of patchy hair loss in pediatric patients is often a matter of considerable debate among dermatologists. Trichoscopy is a rapid and noninvasive tool to detect more details of patchy hair loss. Like clinical dermatology, trichoscopy works parallel to the skin surface and perpendicular to the histological plane; like the histopathology, it thus allows the viewing of structures not discovered by the naked eye.Objective. Aiming to compare the different trichoscopic features of tinea capitis and alopecia areata in pediatric patients.Patients and Methods. This study included 40 patients, 20 patients with tinea capitis and 20 patients with alopecia areata. They were exposed toclinical examination, laboratory investigations (10% KOH and fungal culture), and trichoscope examination.Results. Our obtained results reported that, in tinea capitis patients, comma shaped hairs, corkscrew hairs, and zigzag shaped hairs are the diagnostic trichoscopic features of tinea capitis. While in alopecia areata patients, the most trichoscopic specific features were yellow dots, exclamation mark, and short vellus hairs.Conclusion. Trichoscopy can be used as a noninvasive tool for rapid diagnosis of tinea capitis and alopecia areata in pediatric patients.

scholarly journals Combination of Systemic and Topical Treatment for Feline Dermatophytosis: A Case Report

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-23
Author(s):  
Soedarmanto Indarjulianto ◽  
Yanuartono Yanuartono ◽  
Alfarisa Nururrozi ◽  
Slamet Raharjo ◽  
Jeffi Chandra Ajiguna
Keyword(s):  
Veterinary Medicine ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Hair Loss ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Fungal Culture ◽  
Veterinary Clinic ◽  
Direct Microscopic Examination ◽  
Complete Series ◽  
Pruritic Skin

Dermatophytoses or ringworm are the most common fungal infections in dogs and cats. This zoonotic disease is called dermatophytosis. A 2 years old male Persian cat referred to the Veterinary Clinic Faculty of Veterinary medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada with multi-focal circular non-pruritic skin lesions and hair loss mainly on the head and ears. A complete series of dermatologic tests such as Wood’s light examination, direct microscopic examination, and fungal culture were performed. The cat was treated with itraconazole dosage orally for a period of 20 days and ketoconazole topical for 35 days, respectively. Thirty five days after treatments the cat showed reduction of lesions.

scholarly journals Gender Differences in Psychosocial Outcomes of Hair Loss Resulting from Childhood Irradiation for Tinea Capitis

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 7825
Author(s):  
Liat Hoffer ◽  
Netta Achdut ◽  
Shifra Shvarts ◽  
Dorit Segal-Engelchin
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Hair Loss ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Tinea Capitis ◽  
Psychosocial Outcomes ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Physical Health Problems ◽  
Physical Bullying

Recent studies have linked hair loss due to childhood irradiation for tinea capitis, a fungal infection of the scalp, to adverse psychosocial and health outcomes in women. However, no study to date has examined gender differences in the outcomes of this type of hair loss. The current study aimed to investigate gender differences in health and psychosocial outcomes of hair loss resulting from childhood irradiation for tinea capitis, and to identify the risk factors associated with depression in both men and women. Medical records held at the archives of the Israel National Center for Compensation of Scalp Ringworm Victims were retrospectively reviewed for 217 women and 105 men who received maximum disability compensation due to severe hair loss resulting from irradiation for tinea capitis. We found that women were at increased risk of developing psychosocial symptoms, including depression. Gender emerged as a significant predictor of depression, distinct from other predictors, such as marital status, age at radiation, exposure to verbal and physical bullying, low self-esteem, social anxiety, and physical health problems. Thus, the psychosocial needs of patients, particularly female patients, who were irradiated for tinea capitis during childhood need to be taken into account by the healthcare professionals treating them.

scholarly journals Mixed dermatophytic infections: a learning perspective and report of ten cases

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 174
Author(s):  
Pooja Singla ◽  
Priyadarshini Sahu ◽  
Pratibha Mane ◽  
Prakriti Vohra
Keyword(s):  
Tinea Capitis ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Body Site ◽  
Rare Entity ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Tinea Cruris ◽  
Wet Mount ◽  
Hair Samples ◽  
Cotton Blue

Background: Isolation of two or more than two pathogenic fungi from the same body site in a patient is considered as a rare entity and very few cases have been reported in literature. These types of infections are called as mixed/ combined fungal infections. Author are enumerating ten cases of superficial mycoses in which two different dermatophytes were grown from the same focus.Methods: From clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis, skin and hair samples were collected from the affected sites and examined by standard mycological procedures. Microscopy was done by using 10% KOH wet mount. Culture was put on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar with cyclohexamide medium. Growth was identified by lactophenol cotton blue mount.Results: Mixed dermatophytes were obtained from tinea corporis (five cases), tinea capitis (four cases) and tinea cruris (one case) patients. Fungal combinations from given cases involved two different species of genus Trichophyton which were as follows: T. violaceum+T. tonsurans, T. verrucosum+T. tonsurans, T. violaceum (violet) and T. violaceum (white), T. mentagrophytes+T. Violaceum, T. rubrum+T. tonsurans, T. violaceum+T. rubrum, T. rubrum+T. mentagrophytes, T. verrucosum+T. mentagrophytes, T. mentagrophytes+T. tonsurans, Malassezia+T. mentagrophytes.Conclusions: Inspite of the frequent occurrence of dermatophytic infections worldwide, reports on mixed dermatophytes are very few. With proper sample collection and proper identification procedures, more cases can be identified and added to the existing literature.

scholarly journals Spectrum of Opportunistic Fungal Infections in HIV/AIDS Patients in Tertiary Care Hospital in India

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravinder Kaur ◽  
Megh S. Dhakad ◽  
Ritu Goyal ◽  
Preena Bhalla ◽  
Richa Dewan
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
North India ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Fungal Culture ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Aids Patients ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Fungal Isolates ◽  
Hiv Aids

HIV related opportunistic fungal infections (OFIs) continue to cause morbidity and mortality in HIV infected patients. The objective for this prospective study is to elucidate the prevalence and spectrum of common OFIs in HIV/AIDS patients in north India. Relevant clinical samples were collected from symptomatic HIV positive patients (n=280) of all age groups and both sexes and subjected to direct microscopy and fungal culture. Identification as well as speciation of the fungal isolates was done as per the standard recommended methods. CD4+T cell counts were determined by flow cytometry using Fluorescent Activated Cell Sorter Count system. 215 fungal isolates were isolated with the isolation rate of 41.1%.Candidaspecies (86.5%) were the commonest followed byAspergillus(6.5%),Cryptococcus(3.3%),Penicillium(1.9%), andAlternariaandRhodotorulaspp. (0.9% each). AmongCandidaspecies,Candida albicans(75.8%) was the most prevalent species followed byC. tropicalis(9.7%),C. krusei(6.4%),C. glabrata(4.3%),C. parapsilosis(2.7%), andC. kefyr(1.1%). Study demonstrates that the oropharyngeal candidiasis is the commonest among different OFIs and would help to increase the awareness of clinicians in diagnosis and early treatment of these infections helping in the proper management of the patients especially in resource limited countries like ours.

Systemic Acremonium species infection in a dog

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (06) ◽  
pp. 424-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathrin Geisweid ◽  
Katrin Hartmann ◽  
Johannes Hirschberger ◽  
Monir Majzoub ◽  
Bianka Schulz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lymph Node ◽  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Systemic Infection ◽  
Abdominal Ultrasound ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Urine Specific Gravity ◽  
Fungal Culture ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Neurological Signs

SummaryA 2-year-old female Magyar Viszla was referred with fever, lethargy, polyuria/polydipsia, and suspected systemic cryptococcosis. At presentation increased rectal temperature and enlarged lymph nodes were detected. Main laboratory abnormalities included lymphocytosis, eosinophilia, and mildly reduced urine specific gravity. Abdominal ultrasound was unremarkable. Lymph node cytology revealed mycotic infection. Acremonium species was isolated from urine as well as from a popliteal lymph node by fungal culture. Therapy with itraconazol (10 mg/kg p. o. q 12 h) was initiated based on susceptibility testing, but dosage had to be reduced by half due to adverse effects. Despite treatment, the dog developed progressive azotemia. Four months after initial presentation, the patient showed anorexia, lethargy, weight loss, diarrhea, vomitus, neurological signs, and severe azotemia and was euthanized. Acremonium species are emerging opportunistic mould fungi that can represent a potential threat for immunocompromised humans. In dogs, only two cases of systemic infection with this fungal species have been reported so far. This case highlights the fact that systemic fungal infections should be considered as a differential in cases of fever and lymphadenopathy.

scholarly journals The Burden of Fungal Infections in Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tufa ◽  
Denning
Keyword(s):  
Tinea Capitis ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Incidence Data ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis ◽  
Candida Peritonitis

The burden of severe fungal infections (FIs) is not well addressed in Ethiopia. We have estimated the burden of FIs from multiple demographic sources and by searching articles from PubMed. Opportunistic FIs were estimated using modelling and 2017 national HIV data. The burdens of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) were estimated by using the prevalence of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and annual the incidence of tuberculosis. Of the 105,000,000 estimated Ethiopian population, 610,000 are thought to have HIV infection. Our estimation of HIV-related FIs were: 9900 cryptococcal meningitis (CM), 12,700 Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP), 76,300 oral and 56,000 oesophageal candidiasis cases. A remarkable 7,051,700 4–14-year-olds probably have tinea capitis and 1,469,000 women probably have recurrent Candida vaginitis. There were 15,200 estimated CPA cases (prevalence) and 11,500 invasive aspergillosis (IA) cases (incidence). Data are scant, but we estimated 5300 candidaemia and 800 Candida peritonitis cases. In conclusion, approximately 8% of Ethiopians suffer from FIs annually, mostly schoolchildren with tinea capitis. IA, CM and PCP are the major causes of fungal deaths. The absence of CD4 count is challenging the identification of HIV patients at risk of opportunistic FIs. There is a pressing need to improve FI diagnosis, probably including national surveillance.

scholarly journals Generating evidences on rational management of dermatophytic infections

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 821
Author(s):  
Safi Abbas Rizvi ◽  
Som Lakhani
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Fungal Culture ◽  
Steroid Abuse ◽  
Rational Management ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Chronic Skin ◽  
Skin Conditions ◽  
Prevention And Cure

<p class="abstract">Superficial fungal infections are globally responsible for 25% of the skin mycoses cases. Dermatophytosis is a type of superficial fungal infection of skin, a significant cause of morbidity in the world. This pilot study includes most recent literatures with highest ratings and published work which has been submitted in last fifteen years. The literature review is completely oriented in reviewing evidence which includes the type of dermatophytic infection, diagnostic tools, therapeutic and non-therapeutic management of dermatophytic infection having highest level of evidences. Clinical diagnosis of dermatophytic infection and laboratory-based tests are vital in management of dermatophytic infections, considering conventional methods and incorporation of advanced techniques like preparation of skin specimens for microscopic examination by 10% to 20% mount microscopy, polymerase chain reaction, fungal culture, and spectroscopy. Over-use of corticosteroid is strictly discouraged as they carry multiple cutaneous adverse effects. A vast gap is evident in the management of dermatophytic infection with available reviews. Steroid abuse, in dermatophytic infection has led to many adverse effects and chronic skin conditions. Prevention and cure needs support of awareness about the disease and its severity.</p>

scholarly journals Estimated burden of fungal infections in Kenya

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (08) ◽  
pp. 777-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Abuga Guto ◽  
Christine C Bii ◽  
David W Denning
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Fungal Infection ◽  
Tinea Capitis ◽  
Opportunistic Infections ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Asthma Prevalence ◽  
Populations At Risk

Introduction: Kenya is a developing country with a high rate of tuberculosis (TB) and a moderate HIV infection burden. No estimate of the burden of fungal diseases in Kenya is published. Methodology: We used specific populations at risk and fungal infection frequencies from the literature to estimate national incidence or prevalence of serious fungal infections. Used sources were: 2010 WHO TB statistics, Kenya Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Epidemic Update 2012, Kenya Facts and figures 2012, Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2008-2009. Results: Of Kenya’s population of ~40 million, 43% are under 15 years old and approximately 594,660 Kenyan women get >4 episodes Candida vulvovaginitis annually (2,988/100,000). The HIV/AIDS population at risk of opportunistic infections (OI) is 480,000 and the OI estimates include 306,000 patients with oral thrush (768/100,000), 114,000 with oesophageal candidiasis (286/100,000), 11,900 with cryptococcal meningitis (29/100,000) and 17,000 patients with Pneumocystis pneumonia (42/100,000). Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis following TB has a prevalence of 10,848 cases (32/100,000). The adult asthma prevalence is 3.1% and assuming 2.5% have allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis then 17,696 (44/100,000) are affected.  Invasive aspergillosis, candidaemia and Candida peritonitis are probably uncommon. Tinea capitis infects 9.6% of children in Kenya, while fungal keratitis and otomycoses are difficult to estimate. Conclusion: At any one time, about 7% of the Kenyan population suffers from a significant fungal infection, with recurrent vaginitis and tinea capitis accounting for 82% of the infections. These estimates require further epidemiological studies for validation.

scholarly journals The challenge of Diagnosing Common Dermatomycosis by Reflectance Confocal Microscopy

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 01-07
Author(s):  
Jianyun Lu ◽  
Jinrong Zeng ◽  
Hanyi Zhang ◽  
Yue Zhang ◽  
Lihua Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Confocal Microscopy ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Pityriasis Versicolor ◽  
Tinea Corporis ◽  
Reflectance Confocal Microscopy ◽  
Fungal Culture ◽  
Image Characteristics ◽  
Tinea Manus ◽  
Microscopy Techniques

Background: Traditional detection of fungal infections of the skin relies on microscopy techniques or fungal culture. Currently, reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has been widely applied to assist the diagnosis of commondermatomycosis with advantages of non-invasiveness, celerity, real time, and repeatability. Materials and Methods: A total of 478 clinically suspected dermatomycosis patients were enrolled in this study including 148 cases of tinea manus and pedis, 188 cases of tinea corporis and cruris and 142 cases of pityriasis versicolor. RCM examination was performed to image the lesions. Aim: This study aimed to summarize the image characteristics of in vivo RCM examination on common dermatomycosis and retrospectively evaluate its accuracy as compared with microscopy results. Furthermore, we attempted to tackle the challenges of RCM diagnosis on common dermatomycosis. Results: Based on RCM images, 231 of 478 (48.3%) patients were detected with hyphae. Among all RCM confirmed cases, 58 out of 148 (39.2%) were tinea manus and pedis, 145 out of 188 (77.1%) were tinea corporis and cruris, and 28 out of 142 (19.7%) were pityriasis versicolor. The remaining patients (51.7%) could not be diagnosed by the dermatologist according to RCM. Hyphae structures were primarily identified during diagnoses of dermatomycosis by RCM. Conclusions: RCM is a novel optical imaging technique that confers high-resolution images of fungi. RCM has certain advantages in the diagnosis of tinea manus and pedis. RCM is not suitable for the diagnosis of pityriasis versicolor.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document