Microsporum canis in a neonatal intensive care unit patient

A 45-day-old male neonate (born 25 weeks and 5 days) presented with an annular, erythematosquamous eruption covering the head, neck, trunk, upper limbs and thighs. The eruption most resembled tinea corporis, however unusual the setting. Routine fungal culture grew Microsporum canis. No contacts could be identified. No previous case of tinea corporis had been seen in this neonatal unit, and very few reports are in the literature, particularly regarding this zoophilic organism. Our patient cleared with topical miconazole 2% cream applied twice daily for 24 days. This case highlights the importance of considering dermatophyte infection even in neonatal intensive care.