title: White piedra of scalp hair by Trichosporon inkin.
abstract: White piedra is a rare fungal infection of hair and is reported to be all the more rare on scalp. Trichosporon inkin is usually associated with white piedra of pubic hair. We report a case of white piedra of scalp hair caused by T. inkin. This is the first case reported from India and the fifth case reported worldwide. A 50-year-old Muslim female presented with white knots over scalp hair. Diagnosis of Trichosporon was made by examining KOH mounts of epilated hair and Lactophenol Cotton Blue preparations of the growth in culture. Automated mini-API test (for biochemical profiles) and Electronmicroscopy studies (for cell wall structures) helped in identification of the species. Mini-API test was also positive for Cryptococcus curvatus which could be due to similarity in biochemical and physiological properties of the two species. Absence of C. curvatus on culture further supports this view. Topical antifungal therapy resulted in clinical clearance within 2 months. Higher incidence of scalp white piedra is observed in Muslim females; contributing factor being the custom of using a veil, leading to higher humidity and limited sunlight exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Rajiv Gandhi Medical College and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital, Thane, India.
authors.forename: Vishalakshi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Viswanath
authors.forename: Dimple
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kriplani
authors.forename: Autar Kishen
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Miskeen
authors.forename: Bharti
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Raghunandan Govind
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Torsekar
mesh_terms: D003022:Clotrimazole / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010854:Piedra / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012535:Scalp / Q000473:pathology*; D014250:Trichosporon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D003022:Clotrimazole