title: White piedra and Trichosporon species in equatorial Africa. I. History and clinical aspects: an analysis of 449 superficial inguinal specimens.
abstract: White piedra is a hair infection characterized by nodules composed of fungal elements which envelop the hair shaft. Classically, this infection was considered to be produced by an asexual yeast-like fungus, Trichosporon beigelii. At present, in accordance with studies carried out previously, this species is subdivided into six newly defined distinct species (T. asahii, T. ovoides, T. inkin, T. mucoides, T. asteroides and T. cutaneum), all belonging to the class Basidiomycetes. Although widespread, white piedra has not previously been described in tropical regions of Africa. The present study, carried out in Libreville (Gabon), an equatorial region of Africa, shows that the incidence of this infection is quite high (18% of 449 inguinal specimens) in the female population aged 15-60 years, with a predominance in young patients (15-44 years). The relationship between the clinical manifestations and the specific hair lesions is also detailed. Three species belonging to the genus Trichosporon were identified: T. mucoides, T. asahii and T. inkin.
authors.affiliation: Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie et Médecine Tropicale, Faculté de Médecine de Tours, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thérizol-Ferly
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kombila
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gomez de Diaz
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Duong
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Richard-Lenoble
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D005260:Female; D005681:Gabon / Q000453:epidemiology; D006119:Groin; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010854:Piedra / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000266:history* / Q000382:microbiology; D014250:Trichosporon / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*