| trichosporon beigelii is a fungal organism that causes white piedra and has occasionally been implicated as a nail pathogen. We describe a patient with both hair and nail changes associated with T. beigelii. ( info) |
2/8. White piedra: further evidence of a synergistic infection. White piedra is a fungal infection of the hair shaft caused by trichosporon beigelii. A synergistic coryneform bacterial infection is often present with T beigelii. White piedra, although not commonly reported to infect scalp hair in north america, is an important consideration in the differential diagnosis of scalp hair concretions. We report a case of white piedra of scalp hair with synergistic coryneform bacterial infection in two sisters, both US natives. culture and light and electronmicroscopic evidence of the synergistic infection are presented. ( info) |
3/8. Surrogate nits impregnated with white piedra--a case report. White piedral spores packed inside empty pedicular nits were accidentally found on microscopic examination in a 42-year-old Indian woman who presented with hair loss. The diagnosis of piedra was confirmed on culture. She responded to topical 2% miconazole nitrate solution and manual removal of the nits. This is the first case report of pedicular nits found to be impregnated with spores of white piedra. ( info) |
4/8. White piedra in children. BACKGROUND: White piedra is a fungal infection of the hair shaft caused by species of trichosporon. Rarely has this infection been reported in the united states. Historically, infected individuals required shaving of their hair to achieve clearance of the infection. OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe 8 cases of trichosporon scalp infections seen in the northeastern united states. methods: We conducted chart review and prospective evaluation of 7 girls and 1 boy seen in two dermatology practices in New Haven, Conn, and new york, NY. RESULTS: Seven girls, ages 4 to 16 years old, and one 4-year-old boy were determined to have trichosporon scalp infection, all through culture. Of the 8 children who were available for follow-up, 7 had clearance of their infection with a combination of oral azole antifungal medication and azole antifungal shampoo, without shaving the scalp hair. LIMITATIONS: This was a sample of patients from a localized region of the united states. CONCLUSIONS: White piedra is emerging as a commonly seen hair and scalp infection in the northeastern united states. Contrary to prior publications, scalp and hair infection may be successfully treated with a combination of oral azole antifungals and shampoos without shaving the scalp. ( info) |
| A 39-year-old Thai man had eczema on the left groin accompanied by asymptomatic white nodules on the public hair for two weeks. Examination with the wood's lamp, microscopic examination, culture and biochemical testing showed organisms compatible with trichosporon beigelii. The diagnosis of "White piedra" was made, and this is the first case of White piedra to be reported in thailand. ( info) |
6/8. Cepholosporium acremonium. A new strain of fungus causing white piedra. A strain of fungus (CZ408) was isolated from white piedra of a female child. Mycological identification showed that it is the first case in the world. Asymptomatic white nodules were noted on the hair of the scalp, and they were distributed irregularly along the shaft 4-10 cm from the scalp. The nodules, hard, not easily broken or removed, consist of hyphae, spores and metabolic materials around the hair. Oral antimycotic drugs are effective in treating this disease. ( info) |
| White piedra, a fungal infection caused by trichosporon cutaneum, has been reported in europe, south america, and the Orient. A few cases have also been reported in the united states, all of them acquired as well in this country. A patient whose condition was diagnosed in california apparently contracted white piedra while visiting panama, demonstrating that tropical diseases may occasionally be found at great distances from their point of origin. Therapy with topical clotrimazole and removal of infected hairs by shaving failed to produce a clinical or culturally confirmed cure in this patient. ( info) |
8/8. Black piedra: the first case treated with terbinafine (Lamisil). A 23-year-old Swedish Caucasian man presented with typical clinical signs of black piedra of his scalp after his return from 4-months' stay in india. There were black nodules around the hair shafts, and the crushed nodules revealed numerous asci and ascospores on microscopy. Piedraia hortae was isolated from the concretions. He was treated with oral terbinafine 250 mg daily for 6 weeks. At the end of treatment no nodules were visible, but 16 days later a few 'new' black concretions appeared. microscopy of these nodules revealed markedly degenerated fungal elements, and cultures were negative. No further signs of the disease were seen 2 months after cessation of therapy. in vitro susceptibility tests showed that Piedraia hortae was sensitive to terbinafine. This case demonstrates that terbinafine is effective in the treatment of black piedra. ( info) |