An update on pityrosporum folliculitis in Singapore from a single tertiary care dermatological centre.

INTRODUCTION: Pityrosporum folliculitis (PF) is a common skin condition that can be misdiagnosed, especially by non-dermatologists. While the diagnosis is often made clinically, skin microscopy may be used to confirm the same. There is scant literature on the clinical epidemiology of PF globally. In Singapore, to our knowledge, one prior epidemiological study was performed in 1987. We aimed to provide an update regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of patients with PF in Singapore. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients with clinical presentations compatible with PF, who presented to the National University Hospital dermatology clinic, Singapore, between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2015. The medical records of patients identified as having clinical presentations that resembled PF were reviewed via the hospital written and electronic databases. Information was collected on their demographics and clinical presentation. RESULTS: Of 375 patients identified, 214 (57.1%) patients were confirmed to have PF on Gram-stained microscopy. Of these 214 patients, most patients were in the age group 21-30 years (35.0%). The male-to-female ratio was 3:1. The lesions predominantly occurred on the trunk and back. A majority of patients presented with symptom duration over one month. 128 patients received oral antifungal treatment (59.8%), whereas 82 patients were treated with topical antifungal treatment alone (38.3%). CONCLUSION: The typical Singapore patient with PF is a young man in the age group 21-30 years, with erythematous follicular papules or pustules over the trunk and back.