Congenital cutaneous candidiasis diagnosed in cytologic scrapings

Cytologic scrapings of skin vesicles from an eight-day-old newborn who had a generalized maculopapular, vesicular and pustular rash contained mycelia and ovoid spores of fungal organisms. The cytodiagnosis of cutaneous candidiasis was confirmed by the study of a direct smear and a skin biopsy. The candidiasis was congenital; the 15-year-old mother had had vulvar pruritus prior to delivery. Since the variable clinical picture of this disease must be differentiated from those of other types of congenital dermatitis, an early cytologic study of skin scrapings may prove useful for its rapid diagnosis and treatment.