Pityrosporum Infection in an Infant With Lesions Resembling Erythema Annulare Centrifugum

• Erythematous, scaling patches over the face, torso, and extremities developed in a 2-month-old female infant. The facial lesions enlarged and became confluent, while the torso and leg lesions enlarged and assumed an annular configuration. Spores of Pityrosporum ovale and Pityrosporum orbiculare were found in large numbers in potassium hydroxide preparations from these lesions, a finding confirmed by culture. Clotrimazole ointment was applied, and the lesions resolved within one week, leaving depigmentation. The findings in this case and those of erythema gyratum atrophicans transiens neonatale resembled each other except for the demonstration of Pityrosporum spores . We assume that the disorder in our patient may represent superficial gyrate erythema (erythema annulare centrifugum) induced by Pityrosporum spores . ( Arch Dermatol 1984;120:380-382)