Tinea barbae due to Trichophyton mentagrophytes related to persistent child infection

The case of a 42-year-old father is presented with 6 weeks' history of a pa inful kerion-like sycosis barbae. His two children had suffered from tinea manus 3 months previously, also caused by the zoophilic fungus Trichopyhton mentagrophytes probably acquired from guinea-pigs. Seemingly ignoring the pathogenetic link, oral antibacterial treatment had been the first therapeu tic attempt initiated by the family physician. Finally, successful treatmen t was performed by means of oral application of fluconazole 50 mg daily for a period of 6 weeks.