ABSTRACT
Phaeohyphomycosis is a group of superficial and deep infections due to dematiaceous fungi. They are most common in tropical environments, especially in immunocompromised hosts. We describe the first case of phaeohyphomycosis due to Pleurostoma ootheca in a kidney transplant recipient in Martinique (French West Indies). A 59-year-old man with a kidney graft, treated with mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, and prednisone, presented suppurative tumefaction of the left ankle. Cutaneous and osseous phaeohyphomycosis caused by P. ootheca was diagnosed, based on mycological, histological, and radiological testing. The patient's condition improved with posaconazole treatment. P. ootheca is a known environmental fungus. Immunocompromised hosts are more vulnerable to many infections, due to opportunistic pathogens. Bacteriological, histological, and mycological testing is required for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Treatment is not well defined and usually relies on antifungal agents or surgical resection or both. An important point to consider is that azole antifungal agents may cause major drug-drug interactions with immunosuppressive agents such as tracrolimus.
