Superficial Mycoses

Question 1

Pityriasis Versicolor

Answer 1

Description: Chronic mild superficial infection of
the stratum corneum
Agent: Malasezzia Furfur “dimorphic lipophilic yeast”
Characteristic: Brownish scaly area (whites); Lighter area (Dark skinned)
Mechanism: Hyper/Hypo-pigmentation of the Skin
Diagnosis:
KOH - Spaghetti or Meatball appearance

Other Diseases: Tinea Versicolor (yellow-green fluorescence) & Dandruff (white-gray flakes)

Question 2

Tinea Nigra

Answer 2

Agent: Cladosporium werneckii or Exophiala wernecki
Characteristic: Black brown macular patches or spots on palm/plantar
Diagnosis: Branched septate hyphae and budding yeast cells with Melanized cell walls (brown pigment)

Question 3

Black Piedra

Answer 3

Agent: Piedraia Hortae
Characteristic: Stony hard dark nodules crust outside on the Hair shaft
Diagnosis: KOH - Crusted black nodules and oval asci with ascospores

Question 4

White Piedra/Trichosporosis

Answer 4

Agent: Trichosporon beigelli/cutaneum
Characteistics: Soft white nodules in mustache and beards