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Tinea Pedis Caused by Trichosporon Asahii: Case Report



Boroujeni ZB1 ; Kord M1 ; Tabanejad Z2 ; Asadi SS1 ; Mesri M2 ; Panji M3 ; Zareei M1
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Medical Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Nursing Care Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

Source: Tehran University Medical Journal Published:2021

Abstract

Background: Trichosporon species are commonly known as causative agents of skin infections and also responsive in some other systemic and disseminated diseases, especially in immunocompromised patients and those with leukemia or lymphoma. Chronic cutaneous infections with Trichosporon have been reported in non-immunocompromised patients, too. Case Presentation: This study is a case report of tinea pedis caused by Trichosporon asahii in an immunocompetent 39-year-old man who was a member of the military force with continuous wearing of army boots during his daytime work. In April of 2019, after visiting a dermatologist, he was referred to the Ghaem medical mycology laboratory of the Department of Health, Rescue and Treatment of Iran Police Force in Tehran. Clinical symptoms were scaling and erythematous patches on his left foot with intensive itching for four-months. In the laboratory, macroscopic and microscopic examination using direct 15% KOH wet mount was carried out as well as culture methods on fungal media (Sabouraud's dextrose agar with and without cycloheximide and chloramphenicol). According to microscopic observation and appearance of culture media colonies, the diagnosis was Trichosporon genus as the fungal agent of disorder. Molecular method analysis (polymerase chain reaction, (PCR) using amplification of ITS region with universal primers (ITS1 and ITS4) and sequencing identified Trichosporon asahii as a causative species of the disease. The patient was treated with topical clotrimazole (twice/day) and oral fluconazole (150 mg/day) for four weeks, and recovered. Conclusion: The conditions that cause the feet to be exposed to excessive sweating, moisture and darkness for a long time (wearing shoes and army boots for a long time); increase the risk of skin fungal infection. Therefore, full respect for an individual healthy manner seems to be essential. © 2021 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.