Tinea capitis – Page 2

PCR enables rapid detection of dermatophytes in practice

mycolabadmin

This study shows that a new rapid DNA-based test (PCR) is much faster and more effective than traditional methods for diagnosing fungal skin, hair, and nail infections. While traditional culture methods took about 19 days to get results, the new PCR test gives results in just 16 hours. The PCR test detected more infections and is now the preferred diagnostic method in Northern Finland, helping doctors treat patients more quickly and avoid unnecessary antifungal medications.

Single-center retrospective analysis of 454 culture-positive patients with tinea capitis and measurement of pathogens regarding thermal tolerance at 37°C

mycolabadmin

Tinea capitis, commonly known as scalp ringworm, is a fungal infection that primarily affects children but can also occur in adults, especially postmenopausal women. This study of 454 patients in Hangzhou, China found that the most common cause is Microsporum canis (a fungus from cats and dogs), representing a shift from previous decades when different fungi were dominant. Researchers tested how well these fungi grow at human body temperature (37°C) versus room temperature, finding that most fungi adapt well to the warmer temperature, particularly Nannizzia gypsea, which grew equally well at both temperatures. Treatment typically involves oral antifungal medications like terbinafine or itraconazole, sometimes combined with topical treatments or steroids for inflammatory cases.

Coexistence of Malassezia Species and Microsporum canis in the Lesions of Adult with Tinea Capitis

mycolabadmin

A 60-year-old woman developed unusual hair loss and rash on her scalp that looked like dandruff. Tests revealed three types of fungi, including Microsporum canis (usually found in animals) and two types of Malassezia yeast. Treatment with antifungal medications for three months cleared the infection. Laboratory experiments showed that the yeast species may actually help the fungus grow better, which could explain why adults sometimes get scalp fungal infections differently than children.

Clinico-mycological study of superficial mycoses and correlation with anti-fungal susceptibility among the Candida isolates in a teaching institution of Western India

mycolabadmin

This study examined fungal skin infections in 330 patients in Western India, identifying which fungi cause these infections and which antifungal drugs work best. Researchers found that Candida yeasts were especially common in nail infections while Trichophyton fungi were more common in skin infections. The antifungal drug caspofungin was most effective against Candida, while the commonly used drug fluconazole showed increasing resistance.

Identification of Challenging Dermatophyte Species Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

mycolabadmin

This study shows that MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry is an effective method for quickly identifying skin fungal infections caused by dermatophytes. By combining commercial reference databases with a custom library created from local isolates, researchers achieved 90.7% accurate identification compared to only 16.1% using the commercial database alone. This improved method could help doctors diagnose and treat fungal skin infections more quickly and accurately in clinical laboratories.

Randomized control trial to study the effectiveness of tablet Fluconazole, capsule Itraconazole and tablet Terbinafine in superficial dermatophytosis

mycolabadmin

This study tested three common antifungal medications used to treat fungal skin infections like ringworm. The research involved 180 patients who were randomly given one of three drugs and then checked at 4 and 8 weeks to see if the infection was gone. Itraconazole worked best, clearing infections in about 87% of patients, followed by Fluconazole at 73%, and Terbinafine at 63%.

Erythema Nodosum Associated with Kerion: A Case Series and Narrative Review of the Literature

mycolabadmin

This paper describes a rare condition where patients develop painful red bumps on the shins (erythema nodosum) as a reaction to a severe scalp fungal infection (kerion) caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The authors reviewed 23 similar cases and found that this reaction usually happens during antifungal treatment and resolves within about a week. Treatment with antifungal medications like griseofulvin, sometimes combined with anti-inflammatory steroids, is effective, though scarring of the scalp may remain.

Production of fungal hypocrellin photosensitizers: Exploiting bambusicolous fungi and elicitation strategies in mycelium cultures

mycolabadmin

Hypocrellins are powerful compounds from fungi that can treat cancers and infections through light-activated therapy. Since wild sources are limited, scientists are growing these fungi in laboratory cultures and using special techniques to boost production. This review summarizes the best methods for producing hypocrellins, from choosing the right fungal strains to optimizing growing conditions and using natural stimulants to increase yields.

Identification of Challenging Dermatophyte Species Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

mycolabadmin

This study shows that a specialized technique called MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry can accurately identify fungal skin infections by analyzing protein patterns. Researchers created a customized library of local fungal species that, when combined with commercial databases, improved identification accuracy from 16% to 91%. This advancement helps doctors quickly identify the exact type of fungal infection patients have, enabling faster and more appropriate treatment decisions.

Northwest Iranian dermatophyte isolates: anthropophilic and geophilic

mycolabadmin

Researchers in northwestern Iran studied fungal infections of skin, hair, and nails by identifying different types of dermatophytes from patient samples and soil. They found that a fungus called Trichophyton mentagrophytes was the most common cause, but also discovered a rare fungus called Myriodontium keratinophilum causing nail infections. Using modern DNA testing methods, they identified seven different dermatophyte species and several other soil fungi, providing important information about fungal infections in this region.

Disease: Tinea capitis