title: Kerion of the vulva caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Deep dermatophytosis of genital skin is a rare clinical manifestation of infection by a common group of pathogens.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We emphasize the importance of clinical suspicion and the use of accurate diagnostic methods in the evaluation of deep dermatophytosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a single case of tinea pubis, kerion type, caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes in an immunocompetent host.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 54-year-old female presented with a suppurative infection of the vulva and pubis that was unresponsive to empirical antibiotic therapy. T. mentagrophytes was isolated. Oral itraconazole was initiated on the basis of clinical suspicion and continued for a total of 6 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Accurate diagnosis and treatment of deep dermatophytosis of genital skin rests upon proper identification of the pathogen. Prompt initiation of treatment with an oral antifungal agent, such as itraconazole, should be undertaken in order to avoid irreversible scarring alopecia.
authors.forename: Amina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bougrine
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Villeneuve-Tang
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bouffard
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rouleau
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chartier
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014006:Tinea Capitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D017964:Itraconazole