Trichotillomania in a young male complicated by tinea capitis associated with Cryptococcus laurentii and Candida parapsilosis

Abstract

This is the first case report of tinea capitis associated with Cryptococcus laurentii as well as Candida parapsilosis in an eleven year old male which responded to treatments with griseofulvin, lamisil, as well as fluconazole only to show recurrent alopecia from an underlying problem of trichotillomania. When confronted with the biopsy diagnosis of trichotillomania, the family admitted knowledge of the hair pulling disorder for at least five years. It took three providers to finally solve the question of the recalcitrant alopecia.

Keywords:

• tinea capitis
• trichotillomania
• lamisil
• fluconazole
• griseofulvin
• cryptococcus laurentii
• candida parapsilosis

Introduction

Tinea capitis is a disease manifesting as various degrees of alopecia, usually in preadolescent children, although adults can be affected. It commonly affects the scalp, but eyebrows and eyelashes may be involved.¹ The most common cause is infection with dermatophytes, presenting as a superficial fungal infection of the hair shafts. The hairs are broken and shortened, and the presence of scaling may mimic seborrheic dermatitis. The usually causative organisms are species of the genera Trichophyton and Microsporum. T. tonsorans is the most common cause of tinea capitis in the US. Other causes are M. audouinii, M. canis, M. ferrugineum, M. gypseum, M. violaceum, M. schoenleini, and, very rarely, T. rubrum. This report concerns a patient presenting with tinea capitis associated with Cryptococcus laurentii and Candida parapsilosis, who was subsequently discovered to have concomitant trichotillomania.

Case report

An 11-year-old boy presented on March 31, 2010 with itchy skin and a history of atopic dermatitis. Examination showed a healthy appearing male with a weight of 126 lb and a height of 4 ft 11 in, and a widespread papular eruption, with diffuse and scattered patches of alopecia on the scalp, and slight scaling (Figure 1). Based on clinical observation, the diagnosis was tinea capitis and atopic dermatitis. Bloods were drawn in anticipation of treatment with griseofulvin, and mometasone cream and ciclopirox shampoo were given for the atopic rash. The patient was seen at follow-up on April 14, 2010, with some improvement observed from treatment with ciclopirox shampoo. A hematology and biochemistry screen was normal, and the patient was started empirically on griseofulvin ultramicrosize 125 mg three times daily.

Figure 1 Initial presentation of alopecia on the scalp of an 11-year-old boy.

The patient returned on April 27, 2010, at which time the mother had noted mild improvement, and, on May 11, 2010, she reported some hair regrowth on the medication prescribed (Figure 2). Blood tests were normal, so griseofulvin was continued. When the patient attended a further appointment on June 23, 2010, the mother was unsure if there had been any more improvement. The griseofulvin dose was increased to 250 mg three times daily. Blood tests were normal. The patient returned on July 14, 2010, and acne papules were noted on the face and treated with clindamycin lotion. Laboratory tests were normal. Griseofulvin was continued at 250 mg three times daily.

Figure 2 Regrowth noted by provider and patient’s mother after 6 weeks of griseofulvin.

The patient returned for follow-up on August 4, 2010. His acne was improving on continued treatment with clindamycin gel. Moderate improvement in tinea capitis was noted. Griseofulvin 250 mg once daily was continued. A fungal specimen was taken from the scalp and sent to the laboratory for culture, which was reported on August 19, 2010 as showing C. parapsilosis. The patient returned on August 26, 2010, at which time he was started on fluconazole tablets 200 mg, two once daily, and griseofulvin was discontinued.

The patient returned on September 23, 2010, when the mother reported that the patient’s scalp looked worse and with more hair falling out. Examination showed extensive areas of alopecia. The patient was continued on fluconazole, and returned on October 7, 2010, with the mother reporting mild improvement but that the patient was taking fluconazole 100 mg instead of 200 mg. The dose was adjusted and another scalp culture was taken. The patient was seen again on October 27, 2010, with the previous culture of the scalp showing no growth, which was confirmed by the mother’s observations (Figure 3). Blood tests were normal, and oxiconazole lotion was prescribed.

Figure 3 Patient’s mother reported no further improvement in alopecia after 12 weeks of griseofulvin.

The patient returned on November 18, 2010, and the mother reported mild improvement in the appearance of the scalp. Eczema on the abdomen had shown mild improvement with topical steroids and emollients. Because of the negative fungal culture, the condition was considered to be resolved and more oxiconazole lotion was prescribed. The patient returned on January 13, 2011, at which time the mother reported that his hair was falling out again, and the patient himself described itching of the scalp. Another fungal culture specimen was taken from the scalp, and was reported on February 1, 2011 as showing moderate growth of C. laurentii. The patient was seen again on February 24, 2011 and restarted on fluconazole 400 mg once daily. The mother reported that the tinea capitis had returned. Blood tests were normal. The attending physician made the decision to stop fluconazole on February 26, 2011, pending further workup. Oxiconazole lotion was prescribed at a follow-up visit on March 3, 2011. Blood work was normal. The patient was seen again on March 17, 2011, and prescribed oxiconazole cream twice daily and ketoconazole shampoo daily. Hematology and biochemistry screening continued to be normal, and continued hair loss was reported by the mother.

On March 23, 2011, extensive alopecia was noted on three areas of the scalp (Figure 4A–C), so a consultation was requested with an infectious disease consultant by one of the providers. After this consultation, the patient was started on terbinafine 250 mg daily. Repeat culture of the scalp was done, along with testing for human immunodeficiency virus, antinuclear antibody, and protein electrophoresis.

Figure 4 (A–C). Worsening of alopecia seen in three different areas on the scalp at follow-up approximately 1 year after initial visit.

All blood tests were within normal range. A follow-up appointment was scheduled for 1 month, at which time improvement was noted and culture was negative for fungi and bacteria. A 4 mm punch biopsy of an alopecic area of the scalp was sent to pathology. The report showed no organisms and was interpreted as consistent with trichotillomania. Subsequent discussion with the patient and his mother revealed that he had been pulling hairs from his head for as long as he could remember. He was referred for psychiatric evaluation, and did not return for follow-up.

Discussion

To the authors’ knowledge, C. laurentii associated with tinea capitis has never been reported previously, although there have been rare reports of its association with skin infection.² The organism has its reservoir in soil. It is rarely pathogenic in humans, with only 15 cases reported to produce disease.³ It is a yeast fungus found in pigeon feces, which contaminates soil, is occasionally found in vegetables or milk from infected cows,⁴ and is transmitted to humans through direct contact or inhaled fomites.⁵ Cheng et al reported a case of C. laurentii fungemia in a premature neonate who responded to intravenous administration of amphotericin B.³

Terbinafine is active against dermatophytes and yeasts, but less so against Candida albicans.⁶ However, it is highly active against C. parapsilosis and C. laurentii. Terbinafine is chemically an allylamine, and is used both orally and topically to treat fungal infections of the skin, nails, and hair.^7,8 This patient responded well to treatment with terbinafine for the infection, but had the complicating issue of trichotillomania.

Disclosure

The author reports no conflicts of interest in this work.