Fontana-positive grains in mycetoma caused by Microsporum canis.

We describe mycetoma caused by Microsporum canis occurring in a 9-year-old African-American girl. Pathologic evaluation showed a granulomatous dermatitis with numerous large fungal grains containing septate hyphae that were Fontana-Masson positive. Two cultures of pure grains grew M. canis. Mycetoma due to dermatophytes is very uncommon. The few instances reported have been pseudomycetoma (grains in the absence of sinus tracts). Our patient developed sinus tracts (true mycetoma). No prior reports were found of M. canis staining Fontana positive. Differentiation of dermatophyte-induced mycetoma from kerion is important because mycetomas require a combined approach including surgical debridement in addition to oral antifungal therapy.

Kaposi's varicelliform eruption: a case report and review of the literature.

Disseminated herpes or vaccinia in the setting of underlying skin diseases is known as Kaposi's varicelliform eruption (KVE). Patients typically present with disseminated vesicopustules in the areas of the most severe involvement of their underlying skin disease. We report a case of eczema herpeticum in a woman with a long-standing history of atopic dermatitis (AD). This report also reviews the literature on eczema herpeticum and eczema vaccinatum (EV), summarizes clinical and histopathologic characteristics and treatment, and discusses the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for smallpox vaccination.