Familial Cases of Trichophyton benhamiae Infection Transmitted from a Guinea Pig in Iran.

Trichophyton benhamiae is a zoophilic dermatophyte mainly transmitted to humans from guinea pigs. This zoophilic species can also cause dermatophytosis as reported by human contact with other animals, such as rabbit, cat, and fox. Here, we report the tinea faciei and tinea corporis cases: a 12-year-old girl and her 53-year-old father, with no history of immunodeficiency and underlying disease, caused by T. benhamiae transmitted from a guinea pig in Iran. Dermatological examination revealed several erythematous, round, scaly, and approximately 1-4-cm-diameter lesions in both patients. The girl had seven skin lesions, and her father presented two skin lesions on the front side of his neck. The girl's lesions had started 3 weeks before and her father's lesions appeared 7 days after the first clinical appearance of the lesions in the daughter. The girl had daily close contact with a guinea pig, while her father did not have any direct exposure to the pet. Examination of the lesions scraping with 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH 10%) revealed hyaline septate hyphae and arthroconidia. The dermatophyte isolated in culture was identified as T. benhamiae using molecular analysis. The patients were successfully treated using topical sertaconazole nitrate 2% cream twice a day for 4 weeks.