Cutaneous Infectious Diseases Flashcards

Which potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation finding confirms a dermatophyte infection?

Answer: Septate branching hyphae

Dermatophytes appear as septate, branching hyphae on KOH examination of skin scrapings.

A KOH prep from a patient with tinea versicolor classically shows what pattern?

Answer: Spaghetti and meatballs

Malassezia species produce short hyphae and round yeast, described as a 'spaghetti and meatballs' appearance.

Tinea capitis with hair loss and boggy, inflamed nodules that drain pus is termed:

Answer: Kerion

A kerion is a severe inflammatory tinea capitis reaction that can lead to scarring alopecia if untreated.

Which oral antifungal is required for tinea capitis because topical agents cannot penetrate the hair follicle adequately?

Answer: Griseofulvin or terbinafine

Tinea capitis requires systemic therapy such as griseofulvin or terbinafine to reach the intrafollicular fungus.

Satellite pustules surrounding an erythematous intertriginous plaque are most characteristic of:

Answer: Cutaneous candidiasis

Satellite pustules at the periphery of a moist intertriginous plaque are a hallmark of cutaneous candidiasis.

A rose-thorn puncture followed by nodules ascending along lymphatics suggests infection with:

Answer: Sporothrix schenckii

Sporotrichosis (Sporothrix schenckii) causes nodular lymphangitis after inoculation, classically from rose thorns or sphagnum moss.

The classic presentation of tinea corporis is:

Answer: An annular plaque with central clearing and a scaly, raised border

Tinea corporis (ringworm) forms annular lesions with central clearing and an advancing scaly, erythematous border.