ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Phaeohyphomycosis is an infrequent infection in human beings. However, in recent years, its prevalence has augmented in immunosuppressed patients (mostly in solid organ transplanted patients). Infection can be mucocutaneous or disseminated. In the former, the fungus inoculation occurs mainly through traumatism. Lesions may be polymorphic and asymptomatic, isolated or multiple, and are usually localized in exposed areas of the limbs and head. Treatment is not standardized. When possible, surgical resection of the lesion is combined with systemic antifungals. METHODS: We communicate three phaeohyphomycosis cases with cutaneous compromise. RESULTS: The cases we present show diverse clinical characteristics and varied severity and evolution. CONCLUSION: It is important for dermatologists to recognize this cutaneous fungus infection because the diagnosis using microscopic examination and mycological culture depends on the clinical suspicion.
Subject(s)
Dermatomycoses/microbiology , Dermatomycoses/therapy , Fasciitis, Necrotizing/microbiology , Immunocompromised Host , Phaeohyphomycosis/immunology , Phaeohyphomycosis/therapy , Amphotericin B/therapeutic use , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Dermatomycoses/diagnosis , Fatal Outcome , Female , Humans , Itraconazole/therapeutic use , Lung Diseases/microbiology , Male , Middle Aged , Phaeohyphomycosis/microbiology , Phaeohyphomycosis/pathologyABSTRACT
Phaeohyphomycosis is an infection caused by a filamentous fungus that contains pigment melanin in its cell wall. We report two cases caused by Exophiala sp. emphasizing the clinical variability of the disease, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties of this opportunistic infection in immunosuppressed patients (kidney transplant).
Subject(s)
Exophiala/isolation & purification , Kidney Transplantation/adverse effects , Phaeohyphomycosis/pathology , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Humans , Immunocompromised Host , Immunosuppressive Agents/adverse effects , Male , Middle Aged , Opportunistic Infections/immunology , Opportunistic Infections/pathology , Opportunistic Infections/therapy , Phaeohyphomycosis/immunology , Phaeohyphomycosis/therapy , Skin/pathologyABSTRACT
Abstract Phaeohyphomycosis is an infection caused by a filamentous fungus that contains pigment melanin in its cell wall. We report two cases caused by Exophiala sp. emphasizing the clinical variability of the disease, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties of this opportunistic infection in immunosuppressed patients (kidney transplant).