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Tinea incognito in Italy: a 15-year survey

C Romano1, E Maritati, C Gianni

  • 1Institute of Dermatological Sciences, University of Siena, Via Monte Santo 3, 53100 Siena, Italy. mondelli@unisi.it

Mycoses
|August 23, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Steroid-modified tinea (tinea incognito) presents atypical symptoms, mimicking various skin conditions due to prior misdiagnosis or treatment. Effective antifungal therapy generally leads to recovery, except in rare cases of immunodepression.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Tinea incognito, or steroid-modified tinea, is a fungal infection altered by steroid use.
  • Steroids are often administered due to misdiagnosis or pre-existing conditions, changing the typical ringworm appearance.
  • This modification can cause the fungal infection to mimic other dermatological diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the causative agents, clinical presentations, and sources of infection in tinea incognito.
  • To understand the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of this steroid-modified fungal infection.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study of 200 cases of tinea incognito observed in Siena and Milan, Italy (1987-2002).
  • Identification of fungal agents through mycological examination.
  • Analysis of clinical data, including appearance and affected body areas.

Main Results:

  • The most frequently isolated agents were Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes.
  • Clinical presentations varied, mimicking conditions like lupus erythematosus, eczema, rosacea, impetigo, psoriasis, and lichen planus.
  • Folliculitis occurred in 9% of cases, and dermatophytid reactions in 3%.

Conclusions:

  • Tinea incognito presents with diverse clinical features, often misdiagnosed.
  • Prompt antimycotic therapy is effective for clinical and mycological resolution in most cases.
  • Iatrogenic immunodepression is a rare complication that can hinder recovery.

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