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Hyperkeratotic head and neck Malassezia dermatosis
Franck Boralevi1, Josefina Marco-Bonnet, Sebastien Lepreux
1Department of Dermatology, Hôpital Saint-André, Bordeaux, France.
Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 2, 2005
Summary
A rare hyperkeratotic facial rash caused by Malassezia yeast, termed hyperkeratotic head and neck Malassezia dermatosis, was observed in two young adults. This recalcitrant pityriasis versicolor variant requires prolonged antifungal treatment.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Mycology
Background:
- Pityriasis versicolor (tinea versicolor) is a common superficial fungal infection caused by Malassezia yeast.
- Typically affects adolescents and young adults, predominantly in tropical regions.
- Facial involvement is uncommon in Caucasian adults.
Observation:
- Presents a rare, atypical hyperkeratotic dermatosis affecting the face.
- Observed in two young, immunocompetent Caucasian patients.
- The condition proved particularly resistant to standard therapeutic interventions.
Findings:
- Skin scrapings confirmed the presence of Malassezia yeasts, specifically Malassezia globosa and Malassezia sympodialis.
- This unusual variant necessitates extended treatment regimens.
- Treatment involves a combination of systemic and topical imidazole antifungals, alongside diligent facial cleansing.
Implications:
- Proposes a new clinical entity: hyperkeratotic head and neck Malassezia dermatosis.
- Highlights the need to include this variant in the differential diagnosis of seborrheic dermatitis and dermatitis neglecta.
- Emphasizes the importance of considering atypical presentations of common fungal infections.