Confluent and reticulate papillomatosis (Gougerot-Carteaud) and pityrosporum orbiculare.

Abstract

SUMMARY.— A patient whose lesions satisfied the clinical and histological criteria for the diagnosis of confluent and reticulate papillomatosis (C.R.P.) is described. Many of the lesions showed yellow fluorescence and were heavily colonized by Pityrosporum orbiculare but no evidence was found of filament formation as in Malassezia furfur. Treatment with 10% sodium thiosulphate and with selenium sulphide resulted in virtual eradication of P. orbiculare and complete clearance of the eruption. The possibility is discussed that C.R.P. may represent a peculiar host reaction to heavy colonization by P. orbiculare.