Systemic phaeohyphomycosis in pregnancy and the puerperium

Systemic fungal infections are rare. In pregnancy, treatment is problematic because of the risk of possible teratogenic effects of the antifungal drugs. We present the case of a 32 year-old woman who presented during pregnancy with a two-month history of painless subcutaneous nodules. Excision biopsy of one lesion showed dematiaceous fungal elements. Anti-fungal treatment was deferred and the pregnancy proceeded uneventfully. The remaining nodules were excised at the time of caesarean section delivery. Three weeks into the puerperium, she developed generalised seizures and investigations indicated systemic fungal infection with positive cultures for Aureobasidium spp which responded to appropriate antifungal therapy of flucytosine and itraconazole.(Au)

A case of disseminated phaeohyphomycosis caused by Cladosporium devriesii

In 1984, Gonzalez and co-workers reported a new fungus, Cladosporium devriesii. This was obtained from a young woman living in Grand Cayman, and was associated with deep organ involvement. Subsequently, this patient was treated at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Mona. There was no evidence of HIV infection. Following her demise, a full autopsy was performed, and fungal cultures were examined by electron microscopy. This is the first report of disseminated phaeohyphomycosis in the West Indies (AU)

Mycoses imported from the West Indies: a report of three cases

There have been isolated case reports of deep fungal infections from the Caribbean area but little is known about the distribution of mycoses there. Three cases, one of mycetoma, one of chromomycosis, one of histoplasmosis, are described. Their management and the advantages and disadvantages of treatment outside the area of origin are discussed. (AU)

The incidence of mycoses in the Eastern Caribbean area: Guyana, Trinidad and Barbados

This report details the distribution and importance of fungal disease in Barbados, Trinidad and Guyana. Detailed statistics are not available largely because of the absence of specialised mycological diagnostic facilities. However, there is sufficient data to establish that mycoses particularly superficial infections, are very prevalent and to justify the establishment of diagnostic facilities for mycoses and following this a more detailed analysis of the problem. (AU)

A case of phycomycosis observed in Jamaica: infection with Entomophthora coronata

A nasal granuloma caused by Entomophthora coronata is reported from an 11-year old boy residing on Grand Cayman, an island near Jamaica. This is the first case of phycomycosis reported from Jamaica. It is also the first report of a human infection caused by E. coronata (Summary)

A preliminary survey of fungus infections in Jamaica

A preliminary survey of fungus infections in Jamaica is presented. No organisms of serious pathogenic significance have been isolated from sputum submitted for tuberculosis examination. Coccidioides immitis and Blastomyces dermatitidis however, have been isolated from sputum that were received for fungus examination. Dermatophytosis is the most common clinical condition, while the incidence of serious systemic infections appear to be rare. Microsporum audouini is the organism most frequently isolated in cases of Tinea capitis. Tinea corporis and Tinea pedis are relatively common and there has been three cases of chromoblastomycosis. Aspergillus fumigatus associated with otomycosis and Cryptococcus neoformans in a case of meningitis have been isolated from pus (AU)