Problem:
A 7-year old boy presents with a scaly, erythematous patch on his scalp with associated hair loss and mild pruritus. His mother reports that the lesion has slowly enlarged over the past two weeks. He has a pet kitten at home. On examination, there is a well-demarcated, circular area of alopecia with broken hairs and scaling. No lymphadenopathy is noted. Which of the following best explains the pathophysiology of his condition? Need Assignment Help? Viral infection of the hair shaft causing cytolysis and hair loss Autoimmune destruction of hair follicles mediated by T cells Colonization of keratinized tissue by dermatophytes, with fungal enzymes degrading keratin and triggering an inflammatory response. Bacterial invasion of the epidermis leading to destruction of hair follicles