Kerion Celsi Caused by Trichophyton verrucosum: A Report of Two Cases

Youn, Choon Shik; Moon, Seung Hyun; Kim, Jeong Aee; Kim, Kyu Han; Cho, Kwang Hyun; Kang, Sung Ha

Abstract

In Korea, kerion celsi caused by Trichophyton(T.) verrucosum was first reported in the Honam area in 1986. Since then, more cases have been reported in the Youngnam and Chungcheong areas but there has been no report in Seoul and Kyonggido until now. Recently, two patients with kerion celsi visited Seoul National University Hospital and T. verrucosum was isolated from the scalp lesions of these patients. Case 1 was 52 year-old female living in Kapyoung, Kyonggido and she showed 10x10 cm and 5x3 cm sized, indurated alopecic masses on the scalp which were developed 2 months ago. Case 2 was a 50 year-old female living in Youngju, Kyongsangbukdo and a 10x7 cm sized, purulent alopecic plaque was developed on the scalp 1 month ago. They were farmers raising cows with gray or whitish plaques on their skins. These patients were successfully treated with terbinafine 250 mg per for 7 weeks and 8 weeds, respectively. We report these cases to call more attention to detect this species even in urban areas such as in Seoul. Therapeutic effect of terbinafine on kerion celsi has not been reported in Korea so far and our cases demonstrated the excellent therapeutic effect of terbinafine on kerion celsi cause by T.verrucosum.