A Case of Possible Penicillium Tinea Capitis

Abstract

To the Editor.— Penicillium is rarely reported as an infectious agent in man. This mold is ubiquitous in nature and its frequent isolation in cultures is routinely ascribed to contamination. 1(pp456-458) We report a case of tinea capitis in which Penicillium may have been the causative agent. Report of a Case.— A 3-year-old boy was seen in January 1982 with a one-month history of patchy occipitoparietal hair loss with loss of luster in the remaining hair, and scattered black dots and light brown crusts on the scalp. Results of a Wood's light examination at that time were normal. Results of potassium hydroxide examination of epilated hairs were also normal; the brownish crusts showed brown, double-walled spores, some of which were clumped. A culture grown on dermatophyte test medium showed Penicillium species. The patient began receiving 50 mg of ketoconazole daily. Minimal fungicidal drug concentration studies against the organism were