Kerion Celsi caused by Microsporum gypseum in a Chinese child, a case report

RATIONALE: Kerion Celsi, a severe form of tinea capitis, is generally caused by zoophilic and geophilic fungi. This is the first report of an unusual case of kerion Celsi caused by Microsporum gypseum in a 6-year-old boy. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 6-year-old boy presented to the dermatology clinic with the complaint of multiple pustules, edematous plaques over the scalp with hair loss for 1 month. DIAGNOSIS: Clinical and laboratory investigations, including reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, confirmed M gypseum causing kerion Celsi. INTERVENTIONS: Upon combination therapy using oral itraconazole and oral prednisolone along with the topical terbinafine, kerion Celsi remitted in the patient. OUTCOME: New hair growth was noted during the 4-month follow-up. LESSON: We presented the first case of kerion Celsi infection secondary to M gypseum that was probably transmitted from a guinea pig.