Pseudomycetoma of the scalp caused by Microsporum canis

Abstract Pseudomycetoma is an extremely rare deep mycosis, caused by dermatophytic fungi that penetrate the tissue from infected follicles of tinea capitis. Both clinically and histopathology are similar to eumycetoma, being distinguished through the isolation of the fungus, which in the case of pseudomycetoma can be Microsporum spp. or Trichophyton spp. genre. We present a 24-year-old man with an exuberant tumor in the occipital region with fistula, whose histopathological examination evidenced grains composed of hyaline hyphae and the culture for fungi isolated the agent Microsporum canis. Combined treatment of surgical excision followed by oral griseofulvin for two years was performed, with resolution of the condition.

Actinomicetoma plantar en un paciente sin factores de riesgo / Plantar actinomycetoma in a patient without risk factors

Resumen Se presenta un caso clínico de un actinomicetoma plantar en un paciente sin factores de riesgo, cuyo diagnóstico fue realizado mediante una biopsia de tejido plantar por sospecha de una neoplasia. Dado que el paciente no respondió satisfactoriamente a la terapia de primera línea, debió completar 24 semanas de tratamiento con doxiciclina, a lo cual evolucionó favorablemente. Finalmente, se desarrolla una breve discusión sobre los micetomas plantares.

A case of plantar actinomycetoma without risk factors is presented, which was diagnosed by hystopatological analysis of a foot biopsy because of the suspicion of neoplasia. Since the patient did not fully respond to the first-line therapy antibiotics, a 24-weeks doxycycline regime was started, achieving a satisfactory response. Finally, a brief discussion on plantar mycetomas is presented.

Pseudomicetoma dermatofítico disseminado em um gato persa - Relato de caso / Dermatophytic pseudomycetoma disseminated in a persian cat - Case report / Pseudomicetoma dermatofitos diseminada en un gato persa - Relato de caso

O pseudomicetoma dermatofítico (PMD) é uma profunda infecção dérmica, causada por fungos, sendo o Microsporum canis o agente etiológico mais frequentemente envolvido. O objetivo do presente trabalho é relatar um caso de pseudomicetoma em um gato persa e alertar os médicos veterinários para incluir a doença como diagnóstico diferencial em dermatopatias em gatos, principalmente os da raça persa. Um felino macho, da raça Persa, de três anos, veio para atendimento apresentando 22 nódulos subcutâneos, distribuídos em todo corpo, com diâmetros que variavam de 2 a 8 centímetros, inclusive dentro do pavilhão auricular direito. Realizou-se raspado cutâneo e citologia aspirativa por agulha fina, obtendo resultados pouco conclusivos. Após a realização de exérese cirúrgica de grande parte dos nódulos e encaminhamento para exame histopatológico, obteve-se o diagnóstico de PMD. Após tratamento com itraconazol 10mg/kg SID por 5 meses houve completa remissão do quadro. A excisão cirúrgica foi essencial para a resolução do quadro, que juntamente com o itraconazol sistêmico tornou o tratamento efetivo para o PMD.(AU)

Dermatophytic pseudomycetoma (DPM) is a deep skin infection. Microsporum canis is the etiologic agent most frequently involved in DPM. The purpose of this study is to report a case of DPM in a Persian cat and suggest the veterinarians to include the disease as a differential diagnosis in skin diseases in Persian cats. A male Persian cat, 3 years old, came to be attended at the Veterinary Hospital. The patient was presenting 22 subcutaneous nodules measuring 2-8 cm in diameter, in different parts of the body, including inside the right ear. Skin scraping and fine needle aspiration cytology were performed, yielding inconclusive results. After performing the surgical removal of most of the nodules and a skin biopsy, the diagnosis of DPM was obtained. The cat had a complete remission of the disease after the treatment with itraconazole 10mg/kg SID for 5 months. It is important to emphasize that, as a therapeutic point of view, surgical excision is considered essential, but not enough to establish a permanent cure. Since there can be recurrence, the systemic use of itraconazole is indicated to efficiently cure animals presenting DPM.(AU)

El pseudomicetoma dermatofitos (PMD) es una infección profunda de la piel causada por hongos, siendo el Microsporum canis el agente etiológico implicado con mayor frecuencia. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar un caso de pseudomicetoma en un gato persa y alertar los médicos veterinarios para incluir la enfermedad como un diagnóstico diferencial de enfermedades de la piel en gatos, especialmente la raza persa. Un gato macho, de la raza persa, de tres años, llegó a la asistencia presentando 22 nódulos subcutáneos, distribuidos por todo el cuerpo, con diámetros que variaban de 2 a 8 cm, inclusive dentro de la oreja derecha. Se afeitó la piel y con citología por aspiración, con aguja fina, se obtuvo resultados poco conclusivos. Después de realizar la extirpación quirúrgica de la mayor parte de los nódulos y enrutamiento para el examen histopatológico, se ha obtenido el diagnóstico de PMD. Tras el tratamiento con itraconazol l0mg/kg SID, por cinco meses, hubo remisión completa. La escisión quirúrgica fue esencial para la resolución del cuadro, que junto con itraconazol sistémico se convirtió en un tratamiento eficaz para el PMD.(AU)

Concurrent mycetoma and chromomycosis.

Chromoblastomycosis and Madura foot are chronic localised mycotic infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue that follows the implantation of the fungi through minor trauma, mainly found in persons working outdoors on bare foot. In cases where both Madura and chromoblastomycosis are present, the treatment becomes difficult with low cure rates and frequent relapses. Here, we present such a very rare case of a 38-year-old cattle farmer who presented with verrucose nodules, tumefaction and multiple discharging nodules on the left lower 1/3 rd leg and foot since last 9 years. Direct KOH mount of the verrucose tissue showed Fonsecaea pedrosoi sclerotic muriform bodies and a biopsy of one granule discharging nodule demonstrated fungal mycetoma. He was put on tab. Itraconazole 200 mg o.d. and cotrimoxazole bid for 6 months with very little improvement. The rarity of this combination is most probably due to different geographical distribution.

Oral cavity eumycetoma / Eumicetoma da cavidade bucal

Mycetoma is a pathological process in which eumycotic (fungal) or actinomycotic causative agents from exogenous source produce grains. It is a localized chronic and deforming infectious disease of subcutaneous tissue, skin and bones. We report the first case of eumycetoma of the oral cavity in world literature. CASE REPORT: A 43-year-old male patient, complaining of swelling and fistula in the hard palate. On examination, swelling of the anterior and middle hard palate, with fistula draining a dark liquid was observed. The panoramic radiograph showed extensive radiolucent area involving the region of teeth 21-26 and the computerized tomography showed communication with the nasal cavity, suggesting the diagnosis of periapical cyst. Surgery was performed to remove the lesion. Histopathological examination revealed purulent material with characteristic grain. Gram staining for bacteria was negative and Grocott-Gomori staining for the detection of fungi was positive, concluding the diagnosis of eumycetoma. The patient was treated with ketoconazole for nine months, and was considered cured at the end of treatment. CONCLUSION: Histopathological examination, using histochemical staining, and direct microscopic grains examination can provide the distinction between eumycetoma and actinomycetoma accurately.

Micetoma é um processo patológico no qual agentes eumicóticos (fungos) ou actinomicóticos de origem exógena podem causar formação de grãos. É uma doença infecciosa localizada, crônica e deformante do tecido subcutâneo, pele e ossos. Relatamos o primeiro caso de eumicetoma da cavidade bucal da literatura mundial. RELATO DE CASO: Paciente masculino, de 43 anos, com queixa de edema e fístula no palato duro. Ao exame clínico, observava-se edema da região anterior e média de palato duro, com fístula drenando líquido escuro. A radiografia panorâmica mostrou área radiolúcida extensa, envolvendo a região dos dentes 21 ao 26 e a Tomografia computadorizada evidenciou comunicação com a cavidade nasal, sugerindo o diagnóstico de cisto periapical. Foi realizada cirurgia para remoção da lesão. O exame histopatológico revelou material purulento com grãos característicos. A coloração de Gram para pesquisa de bactérias foi negativa e a coloração de Gomori-Grocott para pesquisa de fungos foi positiva, concluindo o diagnóstico de eumicetoma. O paciente foi tratado com Cetoconazol durante nove meses, obtendo cura ao final do tratamento. CONCLUSÃO: O exame histopatológico, usando colorações histoquímicas, e o exame dos grãos por microscopia direta podem proporcionar adequada distinção entre eumicetoma e actinomicetoma.

Infecções causadas por fungos demácios e suas correlações anátomo-clinicas / Infections caused by dematiaceous fungi and their anatomoclinical correlations

O gênero Exophiala é composto por fungos melanizados dimórficos, responsáveis por um espectro de doenças, incluindo feohifomicoses, micetomas, cromoblastomicoses e fungemia. A espécie E. jeanselmei é a predominante nestas infecções, seguida de E. dermatitidis. Este trabalho tem como objetivo relatar quatro casos e discutir aspectos clínicos, histológicos, micológicos e epidemiológicos para o seu diagnóstico.

The Exophiala genus comprises dimorphic melanized fungi responsible for a spectrum of diseases including phaeohyphomycosis, mycetoma, chromoblastomycosis and fungemia. The E. jeanselmei species is predominant in such infections, followed by E. dermatitidis. This paper aims at reporting four cases and at discussing clinical, histologycal, mycologycal and epidemiologycal aspects for its diagnosis.

Comparative virulence of Scedosporium species in animal models

Scedosporium species are an emerging opportunist group of fungi that have been found to cause infections in both immunocompetent and non-immunocompetent individuals. The infections are not regularly distributed among different countries of the world either because of improper identification or other geographical reasons. Strange as it may, disseminated systemic infections have only been reported in some specific countries. We used a mouse model of disseminated infection to assess if strains from Nigeria were virulent and compared it to a few other strains from other countries. S. apiospermum isolated from Nigeria were clearly less virulent than those obtained elsewhere. This may be the reason why this group of fungi has not been associated with specific clinical problems in Nigeria in pa'rticular and Africa in general.

Disseminated orbital actinomycetoma: A case report.

Mycetoma is a chronic granulomatous infection. Lower extremities are commonly involved. A 20-year-old male came with complaints of multiple sinuses on scalp, left eyelid swelling with a sinus and dystopia, since one year. On examination there was relative proptosis in left eye of 2 mm. Computed tomography scan showed soft tissue swelling of the pre-septal area of the left upper eyelid with orbital involvement. Magnetic resonance imaging showed increased left orbital volume and evident dystopia. Microbiology testing of the erosive scalp and lid lesions showed genus Nocardia, suggestive of actinomycetoma. This case is presented as it shows an unusual involvement of the orbit.

Infección rinosinusal por Scedosporium apiospermum en un hospedero inmunocompetente / Scedosporium apiospermum rhinosinusal infection in an immunocompetent host

Scedosporium species can cause colonization, superficial and deep localized infection or systemic disease, espe-cially in irnmunocompromised hosts. We report a case of localized infection due to Scedosporium apiospermum in a 47 year oíd woman, with previous nasal surgery. She consulted for recurrent mucopurulent post-nasal discharge not responding to antibiotics. Computed tomography showed opacification of right maxillary sinus. Surgery was performed to removed abnormal tissue from sinus; biopsy revealed chronic sinusitis with aggregate of tightly packed hyphae suggestive of filamentous fungi. The microbiology fungal culture reported Scedosporium apiospermum.

Las infecciones por Scedosporium sp pueden traducirse en colonización, infecciones localizadas superficiales y profundas, o enfermedad diseminada. Presentamos un caso clínico de infección rinosinusal por Scedosporium apiospermum en una paciente de 47 años, con antecedente de cirugía por cuerpo extraño en la fosa nasal derecha. Consultó por descarga posterior muco-purulenta y recurrente, sin respuesta a tratamiento antibacteriano. Las imágenes de cavidades paranasales mostraron opacidad del seno maxilar derecho. Se realizó cirugía de remoción de contenido sinusal cuyo estudio histológico reveló sinusitis crónica erosiva, colonias de hongos con morfología sugerente de hongo filamentoso y desarrollo de S. apiospermum en el cultivo.

Micetoma por Actinomadura madurae en el pie: reporte de un caso en Chile / Actinomadura madurae mycetoma of the foot: report of one case

Mycetoma is a chronic infection that affects skin, subcutaneous tissue and bone. Its etiology can be mycotic or bacterial. It affects mainly the lower extremities ofmiddie age men livingin tropical climates. We repon a 44 year-old male ¡ivingin a template zone, consulting for swelling and pain in the left foot, lasting for 10 years. Physical examination showed a swollen left foot with hyperpigmented skin and a few crustedpapules. Radiology showed an extensive bone involvement of the midfoot with several oval and radiolucid images. Magnetic resonance showed son and bone tissue involvement, with múltiple oval and low intensity images in TI and T2. The biopsy was compatible with an unspecific chronic osteomyelitis. A bacterial identification by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing in the biopsy determined the presence of an Actinomadura madurae. Treatment with cotrimoxazol was started).

Mycetoma fungal infection: multiple organisms as colonizers or pathogens?

We describe a patient with mycetoma or Madura foot, in which histopathological stains of the bone and surface cultures suggested three different organisms including Nocardia species as the cause. Criteria for the diagnosis of the organisms, differentiation between colonizer and pathogen, and significance of mixed infections are discussed.

Descrevemos um paciente com micetoma ou maduromicose de pé, no que colorações histopatológicos de osso e de culturas superficiais sugeriram três organismos diferentes, incluindo espécies de Nocardia como causador. Os critérios de diagnóstico dos organismos, a diferenciação entre colonizador e patógeno, e a significância das infecções mistas são discutidos.

Estudio clínico y microbiológico de los micetomas observados en el Hospital de Infecciosas Francisco J. Muñiz en el período 1989-2004 / Clinical and microbiological study of mycetomas at the Muñiz Hospital of Buenos Aires between 1989 and 2004

Se presentan las características clínicas, microbiológicas y los resultados del tratamiento de 76 casos de micetomas observados en el período 1989-2004 en el Hospital Muñiz. Cuarenta y nueve fueron varones y 27 mujeres, con una edad promedio de 43,4 años. La mayor parte de los pacientes adquirió la infección en nuestro país, las provincias más afectadas fueron Santiago del Estero con 31 casos y el Chaco con 11; 8 enfermos procedían del exterior, 6 de Bolivia y 2 de Paraguay. El promedio de evolución de la enfermedad fue de 9,2 años. Las localizaciones más comunes fueron las de los miembros inferiores: pies 63, tobillos 3 y rodillas 2. Se comprobó compromiso óseo en 48 casos y adenomegalias en 5. Fueron identificados los siguientes agentes causales: Madurella grisea 29 casos, Actinomadura madurae 26, Scedosporium apiospermum 5, Nocardia brasiliensis 5, Acremoniun spp. 4 (Acremonium falciforme 2, Acremonium kiliense 1 y Acremonium recifei 1), Madurella mycetomatis 3, Fusarium solani 2, Nocardia asteroides y Streptomyces somaliensis 1 caso cada uno. Los tratamientos más frecuentemente utilizados fueron ketoconazol o itraconazol en los micetomas maduromicósicos y la asociación de cotrimoxazol con ciprofloxacina o amicacina en los micetomas actinomicéticos. La amputación del miembro afectado se realizó en 6 casos, 25 pacientes alcanzaron la remisión clínica completa y 34 presentaron mejorías importantes.

This work presents clinical, microbiological and outcome data collected from 76 patients with mycetomas at the Muñiz Hospital from 1989 to 2004. Forty-nine patients were male and 27 female; the mean age was 43.4 years. The majority of the patients acquired the infection in Argentina: the most affected provinces were Santiago del Estero with 31 cases, and Chaco with 11; 8 cases came from other countries (Bolivia 6 and Paraguay 2). The mean evolution of the disease was 9.2 years. The most frequently observed sites were: feet 63 cases, ankles 3, and knees 2. Forty-eight patients had bone lesions and 5, adenomegalies. The following etiological agents were identified: Madurella grisea 29 cases, Actinomadura madurae 26, Scedosporium apiospermum 5, Nocardia brasiliensis 5, Acremonium spp. 4 (Acremonium falciforme 2, Acremonium kiliense 1, Acremonium recifei 1), Madurella mycetomatis 3, Fusarium solani 2, Nocardia asteroides 1 and Streptomyces somaliensis 1. The main drugs used in the treatments were ketoconazole and itraconazole for maduromycotic mycetomas, and cotrimoxazole associated with ciprofloxacin or amikacin for actinomycetic mycetoma. Six patients had to undergo amputation, 25 cases achieved complete clinical remission and 34 showed remarkable improvement.

Posaconazole treatment of refractory eumycetoma and chromoblastomycosis

Eumicetoma e cromoblastomicose são infecções fúngicas crônicas do tecido subcutâneo que evoluem com aspecto desfigurado, raramente involuindo espontaneamente. A maioria dos pacientes não apresenta melhora sustentada por longo tempo com os tratamentos disponíveis, sendo de grande importância as novas opções terapêuticas. A eficácia do posaconazol, um novo agente antifúngico de amplo espectro do grupo dos triazóis, foi estudada em 12 pacientes com eumicetoma ou cromoblastomicose refratária às terapêuticas antifúngicas disponíveis. Os pacientes receberam por no máximo 34 meses, doses divididas de 800 mg/dia de posaconazol. Resposta clínica parcial ou completa foi considerada como sucesso; doença estável ou falha terapêutica foi considerada como insucesso. Todos os 12 pacientes tinham infecções comprovadas ou prováveis, refratárias à terapêutica padrão preconizada. Sucesso clínico foi registrado em cinco de seis pacientes com eumicetoma e cinco de seis pacientes com cromoblastomicose. Em dois pacientes observou-se doença estável. Como parte do protocolo de extensão do tratamento, dois pacientes com eumicetoma que inicialmente tinham tido sucesso terapêutico e que após um intervalo maior de 10 meses apresentaram recidiva da micose, foram retratados com sucesso com posaconazol. Posaconazol foi bem tolerado durante o longo período de administração (até 1015 dias). A terapêutica com posaconazol foi seguida de sucesso na maioria dos pacientes com eumicetoma ou cromoblastomicose refratária à terapêutica padrão, sugerindo que tal droga possa ser uma importante opção no tratamento de tais doenças.

Inmunoglobulinas en pacientes con actinomicetoma por Nocardia brasiliensis / Immunoglobulins in patients with Nocardia brasiliensis actinomycetoma

Considerando que algunos autores han reportado un aumento en la cantidad de algunas inmunoglobulinas en los pacientes con actinomicetoma, en este trabajo nos propusimos determinar diferencias en la producción de IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4 e IgM en 25 pacientes con actinomicetoma por Nocardia brasiliensis y 25 personas sanas provenientes de una zona endémica de micetoma. La determinación de inmunoglobulinas se realizó por medio de la técnica de ELISA. Para sensibilizar las placas se emplearon 6 antígenos de N. brasiliensis: un antígeno crudo denominado NB y cinco derivados del mismo (NB2, NB4, NB6, NB8 y NB10) separados por punto isoeléctrico. Los niveles de las cuatro subclases de IgG fueron mayores en los sueros de los pacientes que en el suero de los controles, con una diferencia máxima en IgG3 e IgG4; para esta última subclase, los seis antígenos fueron altamente reactivos. La concentración de IgM fue igual en ambos grupos. Es probable que como ocurre en otras infecciones, en la fisiopatogenia del actinomicetoma influya no sólo el aumento o deficiencia de una clase de inmunoglobulina, sino la relación que existe entre las diferentes subclases.

Considering that some authors have reported an increasing of some immunoglobulins in actinomycetoma patients, in this study we propose to determine differential production of IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4 and IgGM in 25 patients with actinomycetoma and 25 healthy individuals from a mycetoma endemic area. Immunoglobulins were determined by ELISA technique. To sensibilize the plates, six Nocardia brasiliensis antigens were used: a crude antigen denominated NB and five derivatives (NB2, NB4, NB6, NB8 and NB10) obtained by their isoelectric point. Results showed that all IgG subclasses were higher in the patients’ sera than in control sera, with a maximal difference to IgG3 and IgG4. To the latter subclass, six antigens were highly reactives. IgM levels were similar in both groups. As it occurs in other infections, in the actinomycetoma pathogenesis probably participate the increase or deficiency of a determined immunoglobulin class, as well as the relationship between different subclasses.

Actinomycotic mycetoma due to Nocardia brasiliensis in a case of leprosy.

Various bacterial and fungal infections associated with non-healing ulcers in cases of leprosy have been reported (G Ebenzer et al, 2000, Rama Ramani et al, 1990). There are no reports of mycetoma associated with leprosy patients in the literature. We report here a case of actinomycotic mycetoma due to Nocardia brasiliensis associated with the non-healing plantar ulcer of a leprosy patient.

Pseudomicetoma dermatofítico: relato de um caso devido a Trichophyton tonsurans / Dermatophytic pseudomycetoma: report of a case caused by Trichophyton tonsurans

A case of dermatophytic pseudomycetoma, in a patient with a history of recurrent lesions in the scalp, for over two years, is reported. Histopathological examination of the affected tissues revealed the mycelial aggregates or pseudogranules characteristic of the disease. Cultures of fresh tissues samples detected a fungus identified as Trichophyton tonsurans. Additional examinations failed to demonstrate lesions of tinea capitis, a probable source of the deep infection. Dermatophytic pseudomycetoma is an extremely rare form of dermatophytosis, and the rarity of such cases is the motive for the present communication.

É descrito um caso de pseudomicetoma dermatofítico, recidivante, em paciente com lesões no couro cabeludo. O exame histopatológico de uma das lesões mostrou, nos tecidos, os agregados micelianos ou pseudogrânulos, característicos da enfermidade. Dos tecidos frescos de outras lesões foi isolado o dermatófito Trichophyton tonsurans. Exames micológicos adicionais falharam em demonstrar a existência de tinea capitis, possível fonte do pseudomicetoma. A raridade dessa forma de dermatofitose profunda justifica a presente publicação.

Mycetoma in an HIV-infected patient

Although oportunistic fungal infections occur commonly in immunocompromised hosts, mycetoma has never been reported in association with HIV infection. The authors present a case that to their knowledge is the first reported case of mycetoma associated with HIV infection. Diagnosis was confirmed by direct examination of grains and histologic examination. Precise identification of the agent, an actinomycete, was not possible. The unusual site of infection may probably be related to the use of contaminated needless and sirynges for HIV drug injection

Peritonitis by Scedosporium apiospermum in a patient undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

A case of peritonitis due to Scedosporium apiospermum in a boy undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis is reported. The finding of suggestive tissual form of the fungus in the effluent hastened the diagnosis of the infection

Micetomas por microsporum canis: caso clínico / Mycetomas by microsporum canis: report of one case

We report and eight years old boy presenting with a pyogenic granuloma of the scalp, generalized alopecia, descamative plates in the neck, trunk and limbs and nail involvement. Cultures for fungus of all these lesions disclosed Microspore canis. The patient was treated with oral griseofulvin, miconazole and topical tolnaftate. Five years later and after several incomplete treatments, the patient returns with a fistulous mass of 12 x 8 cm in the dorsal area whose culture revealed Microspore canis. The mass was excised and oral ketoconazole was indicated. After three months of follow up, the patient was lost from control