Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to cladophialophora bantiana: a first case report in an immunocompetent patient in Latin America and a brief literature review

Abstract We report a rare case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Cladophialophora bantiana in an immunocompetent patient in Amazonas, Brazil. This dematiaceous fungus has been mainly associated with life-threatening infections affecting the central nervous systems of immunosuppressed patients. We present the clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic aspects, and in vitro susceptibility test results for different antifungal drugs. A brief review of the cases reported in the literature over the past 20 years has also been discussed. According to the literature review, the present case is the first report of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to C. bantiana in an immunocompetent patient in Latin America.

Disseminated cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Cladophialophora bantiana.

Cladophialophora bantiana is a neurotropic dematiaceous fungus which only rarely affects the skin. We report a case of disseminated cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Cladophialophora bantiana in an immunocompromised female who presented with multiple pyogenic granuloma‑like nodules, dermatophytosis‑like plaque, and subcutaneous cysts on the upper and lower extremities without systemic involvement. Biopsy revealed black yeasts resembling sclerotic bodies and culture yielded irregular, velvety, grey colonies with black reverse. Excisionof the nodules and treatment with oral itraconazole 100 mg twice daily resulted in complete clinical resolution within two months, following which itraconazole was administered for another 4 months.

Cerebral phaeohyphomycosis – could early diagnosis have saved the patient.

Cladophialophora bantiana brain abscess is a rare and frequently fatal infection, often seen in immunocompetent individuals. 34 year old immunocompetent woman who presented with convulsions is reported. She was initially treated with antituberculous drug. During 15 days of treatment, she deteriorated. Hence she underwent craniotomy, which revealed brain abscesses due to C. bantiana. Subsequently she was treated with fluconazole , but eventually succumbed to the infection on the 7th day of treatment. Mortality remains high with this rare mycosis, even in immunocompetent patients. The case illustrates the clinical and radiological similarities between tuberculoma and other etiologies of brain abscesses. This emphasizes the need to perform histological and microbiological studies prior to the initiation of any form of therapy.

Cladophialophora bantiana.

Cladophialophora bantiana is one of the few neurotropic fungi which causes CNS infections in immunocompetant hosts. Cerebral phaeohyphomycosis caused by this fungus is one of the most difficult conditions to treat due to its poor prognosis and difficulty in management. Thermo-tolerance and multiple functions of melanin produced by this fungus is responsible for its role as pathogen in immunocompetent hosts. Early recognition and excision of lesion with antifungal therapy are required in the management of this condition. Culture and histopathology aid in the diagnosis. Research to find out a novel cost effective fungicidal agent against C. bantiana is the need of the day.