Abstract
Kerion celsi caused by Trichophyton violaceum in a 10-year-old boy with tinea corporis and tinea manum is reported. He developed several nodules on the head, and erythematous plaques with fine scales on the ears and right hand. Direct examination of infected hairs using the KOH method revealed large-pored endothrix. Isolated organisms from all lesions showed a slight red color on oatmeal dextrose agar, and many microconidia were observed on brain heart infusion agar enriched with thiamine. The organisms were therefore identified as Trichophyton violaceum. Histopathological findings showed peri- and intra-follicular abscesses and organisms were seen in the hairs. When the patient was treated with griseofulvin, all lesions apparently disappeared; but the erythematous plaques on the ears recurred after about one year. These results indicate that oatmeal dextrose agar medium is useful in the differentiation between T. violaceum and T. glabrum, and that T. violaceum was carried subclinically by the patient for about one year.
