Erythrasma: A report of nine men successfully managed with mupirocin 2% ointment monotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Erythrasma is a benign dermatosis that typically occurs on intertriginous skin. PURPOSE: We describe a series of nine men with erythrasma that were successfully treated with mupirocin 2% ointment monotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We reviewed PubMed for the following terms: erythrasma, mupirocin, ointment, treatment. We also reviewed papers containing these terms and their references. RESULTS: Complete resolution of erythrasma occurred following monotherapy with twice daily application of mupirocin 2% ointment. CONCLUSIONS: Several topical and oral treatments are available to successfully manage erythrasma. Our series of patients with erythrasma experienced resolution with mupirocin 2% ointment treatment within 2 to 4 weeks of therapy. Monotherapy with mupirocin 2% ointment should be considered as a primary treatment alternative for erythrasma.

Effective treatment of erythrasma-associated inflammation and pruritus with isoconazole nitrate and diflucortolone valerate combination therapy.

A warm and moist environment is a common risk factor for erythrasma, a condition characterized by pruritic, scaly and erythematous tan patches on the skin. Here we report on a 13-year-old athletic student presenting with pruritus and mild burning on her left medial thigh, and subsequently diagnosed with erythrasma. The patient was successfully treated with a 5-day regimen of Travocort cream containing isoconazole nitrate 1% and diflucortolone valerate 0.1%.

Exogenous coproporphyrin III production by Corynebacterium aurimucosum and Microbacterium oxydans in erythrasma lesions.

Erythrasma is a superficial skin disease caused by Gram-positive Corynebacterium species. Coral-red fluorescence under Wood's light, strongly suggestive of erythrasma, can be attributed to the presence of porphyrins. Fractionated porphyrin analysis in erythrasma lesions is yet to be reported. We attempted to investigate erythrasma lesions by isolating the responsible bacteria and determining their exogenous porphyrin production by HPLC analysis. We observed a 78-year-old woman with erythrasma who had a well-demarcated slightly scaling patch on her left foot, between the fourth and fifth toes. Two kinds of colonies on 5 % sheep blood agar were obtained from this lesion. Analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence revealed the colonies to be Corynebacterium aurimucosum and Microbacterium oxydans. HPLC analysis demonstrated that coproporphyrin III (Copro III) levels were clearly elevated, although the amounts of protoporphyrin were diminished. These results indicate that the fluorescent substance was Copro III. This study supports the view that excess Copro III synthesis by C. aurimucosum and M. oxydans leads to accumulation of porphyrin in cutaneous tissue, which emits a coral-red fluorescence when exposed to Wood's light.

Eritrasma interdigital: datos clínicos, epidemiológicos y microbiológicos / Interdigital erythrasma: clinical, epidemiologic and microbiologic findings

Antecedentes. El eritrasma es una infección superficial causada por Corynebacterium minutissimum, que afecta grandes pliegues y regiones interdigitales de los pies. Existe eritema, descamación, manchas color marrón y maceración; se presenta con fluorescencia rojo coral con luz de Wood. Objetivo. Determinar la frecuencia de eritrasma en pacientes con lesiones interdigitales. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, abierto, observacional y longitudinal en un hospital de la ciudad de México de marzo a diciembre de 2006. A todos los pacientes con lesiones interdigitales se les realizó luz de Wood, examen directo con hidróxido de potasio al 20 %, cultivo en agar dextrosa Sabouraud, frotis y cultivo en infusión cerebro-corazón. Se documentaron los datos generales y enfermedades concomitantes. Resultados. Examinamos 73 pacientes, 24 (32,8 %) presentaron eritrasma diagnosticado por la fluorescencia rojo coral y la identificación de la corinebacteria por tinción de Gram. Fue más frecuente en mujeres (83,33 %) y la edad promedio fue 43,5 años. Los principales datos clínicos fueron descamación y maceración y el cuarto pliegue fue el más afectado. En ningún caso se pudo aislar el microorganismo en el cultivo. El examen micológico fue positivo en 15 casos (62,5 %) y se aislaron: Candida (16,6 %), dermatofitos (12,5 %) y Trichosporon (4,1%). Conclusiones. El eritrasma interdigital es frecuente y puede confundirse fácilmente con tiña interdigital. Es persistente sin tratamiento adecuado. El diagnóstico es rápido y accesible con luz de Wood y el cultivo es difícil y no es indispensable para el diagnóstico. Debe considerarse la coexistencia de eritrasma con dermatofitos y Candida cuando afecta los pliegues inerdigitales (AU)

Background. Erythrasma is a superficial infection caused by Corynebacterium minutissimum and affects the major skin folds and the interdigital regions of the feet. It is characterized by erythematous, brown, scalypatches and maceration, and exhibits coral-red fluorescence under Wood light. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of erythrasma in patients with interdigital lesions. Methods. An open, prospective, longitudinal, observational study was performed in a hospital in Mexico City between March and December, 2006. All patients with interdigital lesions were examined with a Wood lamp and direct examination was performed with 20 % potassium hydroxide. Cultures were done in Sabouraud dextrose agar and brain heart infusion agar, and smears were analyzed. General characteristics and concomitant diseases were recorded. Results. We examined 73 patients, of whom 24 (32.8%) were diagnosed with erythrasma based on coral-red fluorescence under Wood light and identification of corynebacteria by Gram staining. The disease was more common in women (83.33 %) and the mean age of the patients was 43.5 years. The main clinical findings were scaling and maceration, and the fourth interdigital web was the most commonly affected. Corynebacterium could not be isolated in any of the cases. Mycology was positive in 15 cases (62.5 %) and the following microorganisms were isolated: Candida (16.6 %), dermatophytes (12.5 %), and Trichosporon (4.1 %) (AU)

[Interdigital erythrasma: clinical, epidemiologic, and microbiologic findings]. / Eritrasma interdigital: datos clínicos, epidemiológicos y microbiológicos.

BACKGROUND: Erythrasma is a superficial infection caused by Corynebacterium minutissimum and affects the major skin folds and the interdigital regions of the feet. It is characterized by erythematous, brown, scaly patches and maceration, and exhibits coral-red fluorescence under Wood light. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of erythrasma in patients with interdigital lesions. METHODS: An open, prospective, longitudinal, observational study was performed in a hospital in Mexico City between March and December, 2006. All patients with interdigital lesions were examined with a Wood lamp and direct examination was performed with 20 % potassium hydroxide. Cultures were done in Sabouraud dextrose agar and brain heart infusion agar, and smears were analyzed. General characteristics and concomitant diseases were recorded. RESULTS: We examined 73 patients, of whom 24 (32.8 %) were diagnosed with erythrasma based on coral-red fluorescence under Wood light and identification of corynebacteria by Gram staining. The disease was more common in women (83.33 %) and the mean age of the patients was 43.5 years. The main clinical findings were scaling and maceration, and the fourth interdigital web was the most commonly affected. Corynebacterium could not be isolated in any of the cases. Mycology was positive in 15 cases (62.5 %) and the following microorganisms were isolated: Candida (16.6 %), dermatophytes (12.5 %), and Trichosporon (4.1 %). CONCLUSIONS: Interdigital erythrasma is a common condition and can be easily confused with interdigital tinea. It persists if not treated appropriately. Rapid diagnosis is easily obtained by examination with a Wood lamp, while culture is difficult and unnecessary for diagnosis. The coexistence of erythrasma with dermatophytes and Candida should be considered when the interdigital webs are affected.

Pityriasis versicolor on the groin mimicking erythrasma.

Pityriasis versicolor (PV) is a widespread dermatomycosis caused by yeasts. Erythrasma is a superficial bacterial skin disease affecting the major folds of the body, particularly the groin. We report the case of a 45-year-old man, affected by PV, exclusively localized in the inguinal folds and in the inner surface of the thighs, characterized by lesions clinically reproducing erythrasma. The authors underline the possibility that PV mimics erythrasma and vice versa, especially in those countries in which both diseases are quite common, and stress the importance of performing a simple mycological examination to avoid gross diagnostic and therapeutic errors.

Tinea pedis and erythrasma in Danish recruits. Clinical signs, prevalence, incidence, and correlation to atopy.

Prior to military service, 665 recruits were examined clinically and microbiologically for tinea pedis and erythrasma and 546 of these were reexamined at the end of military service. The prevalence of clinical signs, erythrasma, and dermatophyte infection at the first investigation was 58.8%, 51.3%, and 6.2%, respectively, and at the second investigation, 81.1%, 77.1%, and 7.0%, respectively. The incidence of tinea pedis was 4.2% during the 9 months of military service. Of those infected at the first visit 41% had persistent infection mainly due to Trichophyton rubrum, whereas new infections were largely caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Some of those persistently infected had signs of chronicity at the follow-up visit, indicating that chronic dermatophytosis may become established in the early twenties. The prevalence of atopy was 15.0% in all the recruits but was almost 50% in those with persistent tinea pedis.

Disciform erythrasma.

A case of disciform erythrasma is presented. This unusual manifestation of a common cutaneous infection may mimic other dermatologic disorders, including lichen sclerosus et atrophicus and plaque-type parapsoriasis. The condition is characterized by an atrophic appearing surface, located in nonintertriginous areas. Appropriate diagnostic procedures easily differentiate disciform erythrasma. These include Wood's light examination, potassium hydroxide preparation, and skin scrapings or tissue sections stained with Gram stain, periodic acid-Schiff, Giemsa, or methylene blue.

[Generalized erythrasma]. / Eritrasma generalizado.

A case of generalized Erythrasma is reported. Reference to its denomination and etiology is made. His apparition in type II diabetics patients is analyzed. Therapeutics considerations of this disorder is made.

Concomitant erythrasma and dermatophytosis of the groin.

Four patients are reported with concomitant erythrasma and trichophyton rubrum dermatophytosis of the groin. The recognition and diagnosis of these associated infections is emphasized.

[Vesiculo-bullous erythrasma of the feet (author's transl)]. / La forme vésiculo-bulleuse de l'érythrasma interdigito-plantaire

7 Cases of vesiculo-bullous erythrasma of the feet are reported. Wood's light, microbiology and histology permit to separate this entity from dysidrotic eczema and dermatophytosis.