Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis in kidney transplant recipients: A series of seven cases.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Superficial and deep fungal infections are more frequent in transplant recipients primarily because of the failure of cell-mediated immunity and lesser amount of antigen-presenting Langerhans cells in their epidermis. Here, we report seven cases of post-renal transplant subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis, all of which manifested within 1 year after transplantation and were unresponsive to prolonged courses of itraconazole. This is the first case series, to our knowledge, of phaeohyphomycosis in transplant recipients in India. METHOD: We performed a retrospective review of cases of phaeohyphomycosis among kidney transplant recipients for type of transplant, immunosuppression, histopathology, and treatment, with prospective follow-up of healed lesion. RESULTS: An overall incidence of 8.3% was noted, with a median duration of approximately 6 months post transplant to the onset of skin lesion. None of the lesions responded to itraconazole alone and 6/7 lesions were surgically excised. Histopathology showed various lesions and culture could isolate Neocytalidium and Exophiala jeanselmi in two cases. CONCLUSION: Dematiaceous fungi are increasingly implicated in cutaneous lesions in transplant recipients. Histopathology and surgical excision are the appropriate tools for diagnosis and treatment, respectively.