A preschool child presented with a three-day history of painless, non-pruritic pustules on the right palm. Exam showed erythema with vesicles and pustules localized to the ulnar aspect of the palm.
Bacterial culture of pustule fluid was negative, while fungal culture was positive for Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Direct microscopic examination of skin scrapings revealed abundant fungal hyphae.
A fur sample from the family rabbit yielded the same fungal species on culture. A diagnosis of inflammatory (dermatophytic) tinea manuum was made.
Context: T. mentagrophytes is a common dermatophyte causing dermatophytosis, with global prevalence estimated around 25%, higher in tropical and subtropical areas.
Rodents and rabbits are primary reservoir hosts for zoophilic T. mentagrophytes.
In this case, exposure to a pet rabbit correlated with infection. Notes: The report highlights that zoophilic dermatophyte infections can present with pustular, inflammatory lesions on the hands and may involve direct contact with animal reservoirs.
The fungal etiology was established by positive culture and microscopically visible hyphae; bacterial etiology was effectively ruled out by negative culture.
BMJ published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 02 Apr 2026.
The item focuses on Pustular eruption on the palm.
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