Tinea barbae profunda caused by Trichophyton rubrum - an autoinoculation from a primary Tinea pedis

Folia Med (Plovdiv). 2021 Apr 30;63(2):292-296. doi: 10.3897/folmed.63.e54559.

Abstract

Tinea barbae profunda is a rare mycotic infection of the beard, caused by dermatophytic fungi. Patients with suppressed immune systems and severe comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus, are more prone to this disease, but it could also be seen in agricultural workers and stockbreeders. The most frequent etiological agents of this infection are the zoophilic dermatophytes. But in rare cases, an infection with anthropophilic dermatophytes as Trichophyton rubrum can be observed.We present a case of a 55-year-old patient with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and tinea barbae profunda, caused by Trichophyton rubrum, as a consequence of autoinoculation from concomitant Tinea pedis. The patient was treated with oral antibiotics before admission to the clinic, but with no effect due to incorrect diagnosis and lack of mycological laboratory investigations. A satisfactory therapeutic outcome was achieved after a two-month course with antimycotic medications.

Keywords: dermatomycosis; dermatophytes; sycosis barbae; tinea faciei.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arthrodermataceae*
  • Facial Dermatoses
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Tinea
  • Tinea Pedis / drug therapy
  • Trichophyton

Supplementary concepts

  • Trichophyton infection
  • Trichophyton rubrum
  • tinea barbae