Black piedra is a fungal infection of the hair shafts. It is also known as Trichomycosis nodosa. The fungal elements are attached to the hair shaft to form nodules along the hair shaft. It predominantly affects scalp hair, although involvement of the beard, mustache and pubic hairs is also known.
White Piedra is a superficial fungal infection of the hair caused by Trichosporon asahii. It is also known as trichomycosis nodosa or trichomycosis nodularis.
2. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
• Affects the hair, primarily the scalp is Black Piedra.
• Black Piedra caused by Piedraia hortae.
• This fungal infection of the hair is characterised by the presence of
firm, irregular nodules along the hair shaft.
• These nodules are composed of fungal elements cemented
together on the hair.
3. PATHOGENESIS
• It is also known as Trichomycosis nodosa.
• The fungal elements are attached to the hair shaft to form nodules
along the hair shaft to form nodules along the hair shaft.
• The predominantly affects scalp hair, also involvement of beard,
mustache and pubic hairs.
4. CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
• Black Piedra presents as small, dark nodules that surrounds the
hair shafts.
• It is asymptomatic and generally involves the scalp.
5. LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS
• Microscopic examination of nodule reveal branched, pigmented
hyphae held together by a cement like substance Piedraia hortae.
• Culture (Mycologic media) – Very slow growth observed at 25 ͦ C
and may begin as yeast like colony, later becoming velvety as
hyphal develop.
• Asci may be observed microscopically, ranging from 4 to 30 µm
containg up to 8 ascospores.
9. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
• White Piedra is a superficial infection of hair caused by yeast fungi
of the genus Trichosporon : T. inkin, T. asahii, or T. mucoides.
• Microscopic examination reveals hyphal elements, arthroconidia
(rectangular cells resulting from the fragmentation of hyphal cells)
and blastoconidia (budding yeast cells).
• This condition occurs in tropical regions and due to poor hygiene.
10. PATHOGENESIS
• The pathogenesis of this infection is still unclear, but it is likely to
result from synergy between the fungi and coryneform bacteria.
11. CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
• The primary symptoms of white Piedra are white-to-tan
gelatinous, pearly nodules surrounding the hair shaft.
• Asymptomatic
• Found in facial hair and body hair (Mustaches, beards, eyelashes,
eyebrows, armpit and pubic hair.
12. LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS
• Microscopic examination – Observation of hyphae on affected hair
(hair sample).
• Mycolic media without cycloheximide Trichosporon sp. will form
cream-colored, dry, wrinkled colonies within 48 to 72 hours upon
incubation at room temperature.
• Morphology on cornmeal agar – both arthroconidia and
blastoconidia are present.
13.
14. TREATMENT
• Treatment may be accomplished by the use of tropical azoles
• Improved hygiene
• Shaving of the infected hair.
• And should take necessity of medical treatment.