Groin (Inguinal) Tinea Versicolor Caused by Malassezia furfur in Iran: Case Report

Tinea versicolor (TV) is a common superficial fungal infection of the skin, characterized by scaling and mild disturbance of the skinpigmentation. It typically affects the chest, upper back, and shoulders. However, the involvement of more unusual regions of the body such as the face and scalp, arms and legs, genitalia, groin and palms and soles has been reported. This report is a case of groin TV caused by Malassezia furfur affecting a 25-year-old man in Iran. After sampling, direct smears with 15% Potassium hydroxide (KOH) and staining with methylene blue were prepared. In direct microscopic examination, budding yeast cells with typical scar and short curved mycelium were observed. To identifying the strains of M. furfur, differential tests and culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar and mDixon agar media were performed. The clinician must be aware of these variations in the location of TV and perform an appropriate diagnostic workup when lesions have the mor­phological characteristics of TV despite an unusual location.