Unravelling Childhood Tinea Capitis: A Multi-Dimensional Investigation Using Dermoscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Zeyu Huang,1 Mingyan Chen,1 Yang Peng,1 Ruzhi Zhang2 1Department of Dermatology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Ruzhi Zhang, Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical college, No. 10 Rehabilitation Road, Jinghu District, Wuhu, 241101, People’s Republic of China, Tel [phone], Email [email protected]: Tinea capitis, a common cutaneous fungal infection, shows an increasing prevalence with the increasing number of pets. We present tinea capitis in a 4-year-old girl presenting without typical symptoms such as alopecia or hair breakage. After a comprehensive evaluation including dermoscopy, Wood’s light, direct KOH fluorescent staining, scanning electron microscopy, fungal culture and mass spectrometry analysis, a diagnosis of tinea capitis infected Microsporum canis carried by domestic cats was made. We preliminarily explored the two modes of hair erosion by tinea capitis fungi and analyzed the possibility of the feature in this case. This case highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic intervention in cases of paediatric tinea capitis, particularly in households with resident pets.Keywords: dermoscopy, microsporum canis, scanning electron microscopy, mass spectrometry, tinea capitis

Keywords

• dermoscopy
• microsporum canis
• scanning electron microscopy
• mass spectrometry
• tinea capitis