Trichophyton ajelloi: A rare case of Tinea cruris

Abstract

Diseases caused by fungi can be divided into three broad groups: superficial mycosis, subcutaneous mycosis, and systemic mycosis. The superficial infection caused by the dermatophytes is called dermatophytosis and the term dermatomycosis refers to the infection from any of the fungi. Superficial fungal infections are some of the most common dermatologic diseases seen worldwide. Among superficial mycosis, dermatophytosis is the most common contagious infection. Dermatophytosis is a term used to describe mycotic infections caused by a group of fungi that usually remain localized to the superficial layers of the skin, hair, or nails. These fungi are classified in the anamorphic genera Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Trichophyton. While T. rubrum is the most common agent. As T. ajelloi is an unusual isolate of superficial dermatophytosis, so the case is presented. The prevalence of an individual species in a given geographic location, and hence the disease it causes, is dependent on a number of factors including population migration patterns, lifestyle practices, primary host range, secondary host susceptibility, standard of living, and climatic preference. The present case was 47 year old male, laborer by occupation came in the skin outpatient department with history of itchy, hyperpigmented scaly lesions on buttocks and groin since 2 months. He had history of antifungal treatment (Clotrimazole 1%) candid cream but never used topical steroids. The diagnosis was done by studying the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of their culture. Texture, rate of growth, topography, and pigmentation of the front and the reverse side of the cultures were employed to characterize fungi macroscopically. Lactophenol cotton blue mount of each fungal isolate was used to characterize fungal isolates microscopically. Many mycological laboratory texts and manuals were used as reference materials in process of identification.

Keywords

• dermatophytes
• skin infection
• keratinophilic fungi