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

Background: 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.

Methods: 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. Methods: Clinical and laboratory investigations, including reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, confirmed M gypseum causing kerion Celsi. Methods: Upon combination therapy using oral itraconazole and oral prednisolone along with the topical terbinafine, kerion Celsi remitted in the patient.

Results: New hair growth was noted during the 4-month follow-up.

Conclusions: We presented the first case of kerion Celsi infection secondary to M gypseum that was probably transmitted from a guinea pig.