First step in the differential diagnosis of folliculitis: cytology

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DURDU M. M., Ilkit M.

CRITICAL REVIEWS IN MICROBIOLOGY, cilt.39, sa.1, ss.9-25, 2013 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Derleme
  • Cilt numarası: 39 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2013
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3109/1040841x.2012.682051
  • Dergi Adı: CRITICAL REVIEWS IN MICROBIOLOGY
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.9-25
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Candidal folliculitis, Demodex folliculitis, Fungal folliculitis, Gram-negative folliculitis, Tzanck smear, VARICELLA-ZOSTER-VIRUS, EOSINOPHILIC PUSTULAR FOLLICULITIS, MIMICKING TINEA BARBAE, HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS, CUTANEOUS LARVA MIGRANS, HERPES-SIMPLEX-VIRUS, RECALCITRANT MALASSEZIA FOLLICULITIS, PSEUDOMONAS-AERUGINOSA FOLLICULITIS, GRAM-NEGATIVE FOLLICULITIS, TZANCK SMEAR TEST
  • Çukurova Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Folliculitis is a superficial inflammation of the hair follicles, and can be observed in individuals of any age or race. The incidence of folliculitis is unknown because most patients only consult a doctor in cases of increasing lesions. There are various infectious and non-infectious causes of folliculitis, and the most common causative agent is Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, several Gram-negative bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral pathogens can cause follicular papules and pustules. In routine practice, however, these lesions are usually thought to be bacterial. Therefore, topical and/or systemic antibacterial treatment is recommended, but this involves the risk of being misused for months or even years. Cytology, a simple, rapid, inexpensive, and repeatable diagnostic method, can reveal various bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic pathogens. This review discusses the use of clinical sampling and staining of cytologic samples for the differential diagnosis of folliculitis, cytologic findings, and the frequency with which dermatologists use cytology to diagnose folliculitis, particularly in the age of molecular biology and more expensive, sophisticated investigations.