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Research Article | Volume 6 Issue 4 (None, 2012) | Pages 120 - 124
Alternaria scalp infection in a patient with alopecia areata. Coexistence or causative relationship?
Lidia Rudnicka
 ,
Malgorzata Lukomska
Under a Creative Commons license
Open Access
DOI : 10.3315/jdcr.2012.1120
PMID : PMC3543859
Received
Nov. 27, 2012
Published
Dec. 31, 2012
Abstract

Background:Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that is affecting anagen hair follicles. The triggers of autoimmunity in patients with alopecia areata remain unknown.Main observation:A 13-year-old boy developed multiple hairless patches of focal hair loss with typical clinical and trichoscopy features of alopecia areata. Mycology examination of the scalp hair and epidermal scrapings reveled massive growth of Alternaria chlamydospora.Conclusion:We hypothesize that fungal antigens (e.g. antigens involved in fungal melanin synthesis) may be possible triggers, contributing to autoimmune reactions in patients with alopecia areata. We discuss research data, which may indirectly support this hypothesis, however the concept has yet to be verified.

Keywords
Allergy
Alopecia areata
Alternaria
Autoimmunity
Dermoscopy
Fluorescence
Fungus
Hair
IgE
Infection
Melanin
Pathogenesis
Phaeohyphomycosis
Tines capitis
Trichoscopy
Wood’s light
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