Chromoblastomycosis: tissue modifications during itraconazole treatment.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Histological and mycological changes during itraconazole use have not been totally established in chromoblastomycosis. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate tissue modifications in chromoblastomycosis carriers under itraconazole treatment. METHODS: A histological retrospective study of 20 cases of chromoblastomycosis seen at the university hospital at the south of Brazil, during itraconazole 400 mg daily treatment. Patients were classified into two groups plaque or tumor lesions, and underwent periodic evaluations every four months during three years. Hematoxylin-eosin stain was used to analyze epidermal modifications, inflammatory infiltrate and fibrosis, and Fontana-Masson stain for parasite evaluation. RESULTS: Fontana-Masson stain was superior to hematoxylin-eosin stain in fungal count in the epidermis (mean difference=0.14; p<0.05). The most distinct mycosis tissue responses were registered in the dermis. Epidermal thinning, granulomatous infiltrate decrease or disappearance, fibrosis increase and quantitative/morphological changes occurred during treatment. STUDY LIMITATIONS: Patients could not be located to have their current skin condition examined. CONCLUSION: Parasitic and tissue changes verified in this study can reflect the parasite-host dynamics under itraconazole action.