[Tinea faciei, underrecognized because clinically misleading. 14 cases].
BACKGROUND
The term Tinea Faciei (TF) designates a superficial dermatophyte infection of the glabrous skin of the face, characterized by clinical polymorphism. The aim of the present study is to assess epidemiologic, clinical, mycological, and therapeutic characteristics of TF in a Tunisian dermatology department.


METHODS
This retrospective study examined the records of cases of TF observed in our dermatology department over the past 5 years (2003-2007).


RESULTS
Fourteen patients with TF were seen during the study period. The sex ratio (5 male/9 female) was 0.56. The average age of these 4 children and 10 adults was 22 years. While the clinical form was typical of TF in 10 cases, 4 patients had a clinical form modified by topical steroids (Tinea incognito). Direct microscopic examination showed hyphal elements in 12 cases, and the mycological culture was positive for 11. Five patients had Trichophyton Violaceum, and 4 T. Mentagrophytes.


CONCLUSIONS
TF is frequently misdiagnosed because of its variable appearance. Atypical forms known as tinea incognito are observed after modification of the dermatophyte infections by corticosteroid treatment. Our study included 4 cases of Tinea incognito. T. Mentagrophytes and T. Rubrum are the agents reported most frequently. Unusually, T. Violaceum was found most frequently in our series.
Belhadjali
Hichem
H
Service de dermatologie, Hôpital Fattouma Bourguiba, Monastir 5000, Tunisia. belhadjalihichem@yahoo.fr
Aounallah
Amina
A
Youssef
Monia
M
Gorcii
Mohamed
M
Babba
Hammouda
H
Zili
Jameleddine
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006118:Griseofulvin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014005:Tinea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014416:Tunisia; D055815:Young Adult
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D006118:Griseofulvin