Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by cladophialophora boppii

Abstract

Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis is an infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, caused by dematiaceous fungi. An adult male presented with a history of multiple reddish nodules over the face and hands. Histopathological examination of the skin biopsies showed a dense granulomatous infiltrate of macrophages, containing intracytoplasmic basophilic bodies throughout the dermis. Gomori methenamine-silver stained sections revealed yeast cells within macrophages. Multiple cultures on Sabouraud's dextrose agar grew Cladophialophora boppii. The patient was treated with oral itraconazole for a year and the response monitored with dermal ultrasound. This is the first case report of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Cl. boppii in India.

Disseminated cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Cladophialophora bantiana

“…Most infections follow inoculation of the fungus from soil or wood into abraded skin. [2] Phaeohyphomycosis is known to occur in four clinical categories: superficial, cutaneous or corneal, subcutaneous, and visceral forms. Superficial infections include black piedra and tinea nigra.…”

Phaeohyphomycosis presenting as a solitary nodulocystic lesion in a renal transplant patient

“…Phaeohyphomycosis (PH) are a rare group of heterogenous dematiaceous (phaeoid) brown pigment producing fungi, which cause superficial, cutaneous, and subcutaneous infections in the immunocompetent and systemic illness, especially brain abscesses in the immunosuppressed. [ 1 2 ] A myriad of fungal species causes this unique infection, which includes Exophiala , Phialophora , Cladosporium , Wangiella , Fonsacaea , Alternaria , Bipolaris , and Curvularia species. [ 3 ] The usual source of infection is usually exogenous, following pricks with thorns or wood splinters.…”