Question

Erythrasma - excessive proliferation of Corynebacterium minutissimum within the stratum corneum due to a warm, occluded surface, humid climate, poor hygiene, hyperhidrosis, obesity, diabetes mellitus, advanced age and immunosuppression

- Corynebacteria are Gram-positive rods that account for nearly half of the cutaneous flora; a warm, moist local environment breeds infection - pink to red to brown, well-defined patches that are covered with fine scales and have associated wrinkling
- lesions illuminated bright coral red upon fluorescence with a Wood's lamp as a result of porphyrin produced by the bacteria
- topical erythromycin/clindamycin, aluminum chloride

Answer 1

Erythrasma is a bacterial skin infection characterized by pink to red patches with fine scales and wrinkling. It is caused by Corynebacterium minutissimum and is treated with topical antibiotics like erythromycin or clindamycin, and aluminum chloride for excessive sweating, if present.

Step-by-step explanation:

Erythrasma is a skin infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium minutissimum. This condition is characterized by excessively proliferating bacteria within the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the skin), facilitated by a warm, occluded surface, humid climate, poor hygiene, hyperhidrosis, obesity, diabetes mellitus, advanced age and immunosuppression. Corynebacteria, which are Gram-positive rods, make up a significant part of the cutaneous flora, and flourish in warm, moist conditions, leading to the characteristic skin lesions - pink to red to brown, well-defined patches that have fine scales and associated wrinkling.

These lesions fluoresce bright coral red under a Wood's lamp - a result of the porphyrin produced by the bacteria. Diagnosis is typically made based on these clinical features, and treatment usually involves topical erythromycin or clindamycin, and measures to manage excessive sweating with agents like aluminum chloride.

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