Tinea genitalis profunda caused by Microsporum canis: A case report and literature review

Deep dermatophytosis in the genital region is rare and often misdiagnosed due to its inflammatory presentation mimicking bacterial or other dermatoses. We report the case of a 23-year-old woman presenting with painful, exudative plaques in the pubogenital area. Initial empirical antibiotic therapy failed. Fungal culture revealed Microsporum canis. Treatment with systemic terbinafine followed by itraconazole led to clinical improvement. The lesion healed with scarring alopecia and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Given the overlapping features with both kerion and Majocchi granuloma, this case was classified as tinea profunda. This case highlights the importance of considering deep dermatophytosis in the differential diagnosis of genital inflammatory and suppurative lesions, especially when initial treatments fail.