Tinea barbae profunda due to Trichophyton mentagrophytes : Case report and review

Tinea barbae is a rare dermatomycocis, by definition follicular bound in the beard area of adult men. Manifestation usually starts with erythema accompanied by desquamation. Deeper distribution along terminal hairs leads to folliculitis with formation of pustules and nodes as well as abscesses; fixed adherent yellowish crusts may appear. Frequently there is locoregional swelling of the lymph nodes and occasionally a deterioration of general condition with (sub)febrile temperatures. Often this leads to the initial suspected diagnosis of a bacterial folliculitis barbae or impetigo contagiosa. Tinea barbae is mostly induced by species of the genus Trichophyton (T.). The pathogens are diverse and are mostly zoophilic, sometimes anthropophilic and rarely geophilic dermatophytes. With the help of a specific anamnesis and diagnostic procedure, including mycological examinations, histology and molecular detection of dermatophytes via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), tinea barbae—in our patient induced by T. mentagrophytes—can be rapidly diagnosed. Early initiation and adequate treatment duration lead to restitutio ad integrum.