A rare case of white piedra caused by Candida orthopsilosis
- Author: mycolabadmin
- 10/15/2025
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Summary
A young girl developed small knots on her scalp hair caused by a yeast fungus called Candida orthopsilosis. This is extremely rare, as white piedra is typically caused by different fungi. Doctors identified the fungus using DNA testing and treated it successfully with antifungal creams and shampoo. This case shows that doctors should not dismiss Candida growth as contamination when found on hair.
Background
White piedra is a rare superficial fungal infection affecting hair shafts, traditionally attributed to Trichosporon species. Recent reports suggest Candida species can also cause this condition, though cases are exceptionally rare.
Objective
To present a rare documented case of white piedra caused by Candida orthopsilosis in a 3-year-old girl without concurrent Trichosporon species in a temperate region of northern Iran.
Results
A 3-year-old girl presented with white to beige nodules on hair shafts in the occipital area. PCR-RFLP and sequencing identified Candida orthopsilosis as the causative agent. Antifungal susceptibility testing showed good activity against multiple antifungal agents. Combined treatment with 1% clotrimazole suspension and 2% ketoconazole shampoo successfully cleared all nodules with no relapse during two-month follow-up.
Conclusion
- Published in:BMC Infectious Diseases,
- Study Type:Case Report,
- Source: PMID: 41094362, DOI: 10.1186/s12879-025-11787-5