Combination therapy with itraconazole and terbinafine for phaeohyphomycosis caused by Exophiala spinifera: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Exophiala spinifera is a rare dematiaceous fungus causing cutaneous, subcutaneous and disseminated phaeohyphomycosis (PHM). Standard antifungal therapy for PHM is still uncertain. Here, we report a case of a Chinese male with PHM caused by E. spinifera, who received significant clinical improvement after the treatment with oral itraconazole and terbinafine. With the aim of evaluating the antifungal therapy for PHM caused by E. spinifera, a detailed review was performed.