Tinea nigra infection in Canada

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Tinea nigra is a superficial fungal infection characterized by dark, non-scaling macules.
• It is commonly caused by the fungus Cladosporium werneckii.
• Geographically, tinea nigra is endemic to tropical and subtropical regions.

Observation:

• A 6-year-old Canadian boy presented with a tinea nigra infection on his palm.
• The patient had recently traveled to the Bahamas.
• This represents the first documented case of tinea nigra in Canada.

Findings:

• Cultural studies confirmed the causative agent as Cladosporium werneckii.
• The infection's presentation was consistent with typical tinea nigra.

Implications:

• This case highlights the potential for tinea nigra to occur in non-endemic regions due to international travel.
• It underscores the importance of considering fungal infections in dermatological diagnoses, even in unusual geographic contexts.
• Further surveillance may be warranted to understand the epidemiology of imported mycoses in Canada.