Report of a rare case of tinea capitis favosa caused by Trichophyton schoenleinii in Iran

Hosseini Pour, Leila; Hashemi, Seyed Jamal; Borjian Boroujeni, Zeinab; Abolfathi, Ahmad; Getso, Muhammad Ibrahim; Raiesi, Omid

doi:10.22034/cmm.2025.345462.1695

Report of a rare case of tinea capitis favosa caused by Trichophyton schoenleinii in Iran

Document Type : Case report

Authors

Leila Hosseini pour ¹

Seyed Jamal Hashemi ¹

Zeinab Borjian Boroujeni ¹

Ahmad Abolfathi ²

Muhammad Ibrahim Getso ³

Omid Raiesi ⁴

¹ Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

² Department of Medical Biotechnology, Molecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

³ Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Bayero University, PMB, 3011, Kano, Nigeria

⁴ Department of Parasitology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.

10.22034/cmm.2025.345462.1695

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Favus, a severe form of tinea capitis, is primarily caused by Trichophyton schoenleinii and can lead to permanent scarring alopecia if untreated. Although its prevalence has declined globally, outbreaks persist in regions with socioeconomic challenges and immigrant populations.
Case Presentation: We report an 8-year-old Afghan boy residing in Iran who presented with diffuse alopecia and erythematous, purulent scalp lesions. Direct microscopy, culture, and ITS-PCR confirmed infection with T. schoenleinii. The isolate exhibited high susceptibility to itraconazole, ketoconazole, and terbinafine, with reduced activity for fluconazole. Treatment with topical ketoconazole and oral itraconazole (5 mg/kg/day for six months) resulted in clinical resolution.
Conclusion: Early recognition of favus, coupled with accurate identification and susceptibility-guided therapy, is crucial to prevent long-term complications. Surveillance of T. schoenleinii in vulnerable populations, including immigrants, remains vital to inform public health strategies and mitigate the risk of re-emergence.

Keywords

Tinea capitis

Tinea Favosa

Trichophyton schoenleinii

Iran

Case report

Subjects