Pityrosporum Folliculitis

Thirty-nine patients with pityrosporum folliculitis were investigated clinically and histopathologically. On clinical observation there were numerous, chronic, moderately itchy (64.1%), dome-shaped papules (89.7%) and pustules (66.7%). The most frequent sites of the lesions were the upper portion of the chest (76.9%) and back (56.4%). In biopsy specimens, abundant round and budding yeast cells were seen in a dilated hair follicle. The reptured follicle was observed in 19 specimen (48.7%). The accumulation on inflammatory cells were observed in or around the upper part of the follicle in all specimens. The effect of antimycotic treatment was excellent. After 4 weeks of treatment, 36 patients (92%) were cured and 3 (8%) had improved significantly. KOH/Parker Ink direct smear was done in 20 patients. Blue-colored round and budding yeast cells were observed under a light mcroscope in all patients.

We suggest that pityrosporum folliculitis is a common disease of young and middle-aged Koreans.