White piedra is a superficial mycoses characterized by nodules
on the hair shaft, caused by the basidiomycetous yeasts. In the present
study, clinical and mycological findings of scalp white piedra caused by
Trichosporon
spp. are related. Twenty three cases of scalp white piedra were observed
with a high incidence in women (87%) and preschool children from 2 to 6
(74%) years old. These groups presented a relationship of dependence with
this infection. Despite the low socio-economic status, poor standards of
hygiene, (48% of the patients) as well as the fact that 30.4% of the children
shared the same nursery, these factors were not significant for the transmission
of the mycosis. These were the first reports of scalp white piedra in João
Pessoa city, Paraíba, Brazil.
