Answer to Image of the Month June 2014
Submitted by Isha Garg, Inchara YK
Tinea capitis (endothrix type)
Endothrix infection is a form of tinea capitis wherein dermatophytes invade the hair shaft. These infections are most often due to Trichophyton tonsurans and Trichophyton violaceum and cause patchy alopecia. The hair does not fluoresce with Wood's lamp. Histopathologically, hyphae and spores are seen within hair shafts, that are highlighted by the PAS stain. Remnants of infected hair shafts may be seen at the ostia. Perifollicular inflammation is variable.