Esporotricosis y cromoblastomicosis en San Ramón de Costa Rica / Sporotrichosis and chromoblastomycosis in San Ramón of Costa Rica

Objetivo: Reportar las características que mostraron la esporotricosis y cromoblastomicosis en el cantón de San Ramón (Costa Rica) para su análisis epidemiológico. Métodos: Se describe una serie de casos basada en la revisión de expedientes clínicos de pacientes diagnosticados con esporotricosis y cromoblastomicosis desde el año 1997 al 2020 en el servicio de Dermatología del Hospital Carlos Luis Valverde Vega del cantón de San Ramón. Resultados: 4 esporotricosis y 6 cromoblastomicosis predominaron en agricultores de edad avanzada. Se identificó en igual número la variante fija y la linfangítica de esporotricosis; en la cromoblastomicosis predominó la variante verrugosa de la enfermedad. Conclusión: La presente serie de casos es el primer informe realizado en torno a estas patologías en el cantón de San Ramón, por lo que no se cuenta con datos estadísticos previos. Los cambios demográficos, económicos y socioculturales de las últimas décadas podrían influir en los patrones epidemiológicos de estas entidades en la región.

Aim: To report the characteristics that sporotrichosis and chromoblastomycosis showed in San Ramón canton (Costa Rica) for its epidemiological analysis. Methods: A series of cases is described based on the review of clinical records of patients diagnosed with sporotrichosis and chromoblastomycosis in the Dermatology service of the Carlos Luis Valverde Vega Hospital located in San Ramón canton from 1997 to 2020. Results: 4 sporotrichosis and 7 chromoblastomycosis predominated in elderly farmers. The fixed and lymphangitic variants of sporotrichosis were identified in equal numbers, in chromoblastomycosis the warty variant of the disease predominated. Conclusion: This series of cases is the first report on these pathologies in the canton of San Ramón. Therefore, no previous statistical data is available. The demographic, economic and sociocultural changes of the last decades could influence on the epidemiological patterns of these entities in the region.

Cromoblastomicosis: primer caso alóctono tratado en Chile / Chromoblastomycosis: first allochthonous case treated in Chile

Resumen La cromoblastomicosis es una infección fúngica de la piel y del tejido subcutáneo, de evolución crónica, causada por hongos dematiáceos que se caracterizan por presentar melanina en su pared celular. La enfermedad se presenta en todo el mundo, principalmente en regiones tropicales y subtropicales. En Chile, solo hay un reporte de caso humano hace más de 30 años. Se presenta el caso de un varón de 46 años, haitiano, residente en Chile, con placas verrucosas en la zona tibial anterior de un año de evolución. El diagnóstico de cromoblastomicosis se confirmó al observar células muriformes en la histopatología y colonias dematiáceas en el cultivo micológico; además, en la miscroscopía directa se observaron conidias compatibles con Fonsecaea spp. Luego de seis meses de tratamiento con antimicóticos sistémicos y crioterapia, se logró la remisión completa de las lesiones.

Abstract Chromoblastomycosis is a fungal infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, of chronic evolution, caused by dematiaceous fungi. The disease occurs worldwide, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, but in regions like Chile there is only one report of a human case more than 30 years ago. We present the case of a 46-year-old Haitian man, resident in Chile, with verrucous plaques in the right anterior tibial area of one year of evolution. The diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis was confirmed when muriform cells and dematiaceous colonies were observed in the histopathological analysis and the direct microscopy, respectively. After six months of treatment with systemic antimycotics and cryotherapy, complete remission of the lesions was achieved.

Diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis: an historical review

Chromoblastomycosis is a skin infection caused by dematiaceous fungi, characterized by a verrucous plaque on the limbs. It mainly affects rural workers in tropical countries. The purpose of this review is to identify how the diagnostic methods used in the propaedeutic of chromoblastomycosis emerged and were developed. The MeSH terms "chromoblastomycosis" or "chromomycosis" or "verrucous dermatitis" and "diagnosis" were used to search articles indexed in MEDLINE and LILACS databases. The description of a first-time-used method in diagnosing chromoblastomycosis or modifications and innovations in an existing technique was the criteria used to deem the article eligible. The first methods described in diagnosing chromoblastomycosis were histopathological examination and culture, which characterizes and defines the disease in the early 20th century. Subsequently, they were described as direct microscopic examination, fine needle aspiration for cytology, electron microscopy, serology, molecular tests, scintigraphy, nuclear magnetic resonance and dermoscopy. Tests based on the direct identification of the fungus through biopsy, culture, or direct microscopy are the oldest and more employed methods for diagnosing chromoblastomycosis. The polymerase chain reaction was introduced in the last few decades and is a promising technique. Dermoscopy of chromoblastomycosis shows blackish red dots and white and pink areas along with scaling. Other techniques, such as serology and skin testing for delayed-type hypersensitivity, have not been incorporated into clinical practice

Presence of hyphae in chromoblastomycosis examinations: an enigma to be solved

Abstract The detection of muriform cells in direct mycological or anatomopathological examination is considered pathognomonic for chromoblastomycosis. The morphological aspect that these fungal structures acquire were called "Borelli spiders", when associated with hyphae. Reports of this association have been described for decades, initially related to more pathogenic agents of this mycosis. More recent studies have shown aspects related to the host's immunity that participate in this process, as well as an association with a worse disease prognosis. The present study discloses the findings of complementary examinations with the presence of "Borelli's spiders" in a patient diagnosed with chromoblastomycosis.

Chromoblastomycosis: an etiological, epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and treatment update

Abstract: Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic, granulomatous, suppurative mycosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by traumatic inoculation of dematiaceous fungi of the family Herpotrichiellaceae. The species Fonsecaea pedrosoi and Cladophialophora carrionii are prevalent in regions where the disease is endemic. Chromoblastomycosis lesions are polymorphous: verrucous, nodular, tumoral, plaque-like, and atrophic. It is an occupational disease that predominates in tropical and subtropical regions, but there have been several reports of cases in temperate regions. The disease mainly affects current or former farm workers, mostly males, and often leaving disabling sequelae. This mycosis is still a therapeutic challenge due to frequent recurrence of lesions. Patients with extensive lesions require a combination of pharmacological and physical therapies. The article provides an update of epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic features.

PLECT: enfermedades tropicales de manifestación verrucosa / PLECT: tropical manifestation diseases verrucosa

Cada día es más habitual ver en nuestra consulta médica enfermedades dermatológicas endémicas de zonas tropicales, gracias a los flujos migratorios recientes y aumento del turismo hacia el extranjero. Presentamos un acrónimo muy utilizado en Brasil, PLECT, que reúne a enfermedades infecciosas que deben tenerse en mente en el diferencial de lesiones verrucosas, a saber, Paracoccidiodomicosis, Leishmaniasis Tegumentar, Esporotricosis, Cromomicosis y Tuberculosis Cutánea.

Increasingly, it is more common to see dermatological diseases that are endemic in tropical areas in our medical practice, thanks to recent migratory flows and increased tourism abroad. We present an acronym widely used in Brazil, PLECT, which brings together infectious diseases that should be borne in mind in the differential of verrucous lesions, namely, Paracoccidiodomicosis, Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Sporotrichosis, Chromomycosis and Cutaneous Tuberculosis.

Cromoblastomicosis: características clínicas y microbiológicas de una enfermedad desatendida / Chromoblastomycosis: clinical and microbiological characteristics of a neglected disease

Resumen La cromoblastomicosis es una enfermedad fúngica desatendida de curso crónico, que infecta por inoculación al tejido subcutáneo de personas con riesgo ocupacional. Comunicamos dos casos de adultos procedentes de regiones tropicales del norte del Perú, afectados con lesiones crónicas eritemato-escamosas y puntos negros múltiples, con dolor, prurito y cicatrización en áreas más antiguas de la lesión. El diagnóstico se realizó con el examen directo de escamas dérmicas con presencias de células fumagoides típicas y el aislamiento de hongos dematiáceos Fonsecaea pedrosoi y Fonsecaea sp., en el primer y segundo caso; respectivamente. Los pacientes recibieron tratamiento antifúngico con itraconazol, sin poder observar el resultado final debido al abandono del tratamiento y control médico.

Chromoblastomycosis is a neglected and chronic fungal disease, mainly affects the subcutaneous tissue in limbs of people with occupational risk. Here, we report two cases of adult patients from tropical regions of northern Peru, affected with chronic erythematous scaly lesions and multiple blackheads, pain, itching and scarring in older areas of injury. Direct examination of the dermal scales showed typical of this disease fumagoides cells; Fonsecaea pedrosoi and Fonsecaea sp. were isolated for at first and second case respectively. Patients received antifungal treatment with itraconazole; however, in both cases the final outcome was not observed due to treatment abandonment and medical care.

Cromomicose: relato de caso e revisão da literatura / Chromomycosis: case report and literature review

A cromomicose é uma micose profunda, crônica, com acometimento da pele e do subcutâneo. O fungo é encontrado na natureza nas plantas e no solo, sendo introduzido no organismo através de traumas ou ferimentos. A localização das lesões é, principalmente, nos membros inferiores, podendo também comprometer outras regiões. Os trabalhadores rurais são mais frequentemente acometidos por falta de proteção e exposição contínua. O objetivo deste relato foi apresentar um caso de cromomicose de evolução crônica, fazendo diagnóstico diferencial com outras doenças que causam a síndrome verrucosa (leishmaniose, esporotricose e tuberculose) e realizando breve revisão da literatura. Paciente do gênero masculino, 83 anos, branco, trabalhador rural, procurou Ambulatório de Dermatologia apresentando lesão vegetante, verrucosa, de base eritematosa, com distribuição linear, localizada no membro superior direito com evolução de 9 anos. As características da lesão sugeririam como hipóteses diagnósticas doenças que causam a síndrome verrucosa LECT (iniciais de leishmaniose, esporotricose, cromomicose e tuberculose). Para confirmação diagnóstica, foi realizada biópsia da lesão e exame histopatológico, que revelou presença de células arredondadas de cor castanho escuro em processo de reprodução binária, confirmando o diagnóstico de cromomicose. O paciente foi submetido ao tratamento com itraconazol e crioterapia combinados. A cromomicose possui diagnósticos diferencias em decorrência das características clínicas da lesão,sendo fundamentais, para sua confirmação diagnóstica, exames específicos.

Chromomycosis is a deep and chronic mycosis that affects the skin and the subcutaneous tissues. The fungus is found in nature, in plants and soil, being introduced into the body through trauma or injury. Lesions occur mainly on the lower limbs, but can also involve other regions. Rural workers are more frequently affected due to lack of protection and continuous exposure. The objective of this report was to present a case of chronic chromomycosis evolution, making differential diagnosis with other diseases that cause warty syndrome (leishmaniasis, sporotrichosis and tuberculosis) and performing a brief literature review. Male patient, 83 years old, white, farm laborer, sought the Dermatology Department presenting vegetative, verrucous lesion, with erythematous base, linear distribution, located on the right upper limb, with a 9-year progression. Lesion characteristics would suggest as diagnostic hypotheses diseases that cause warty syndrome LECT (acronym in Portuguese from leishmaniasis, sporotrichosis, chromomycosis and tuberculosis). For diagnostic confirmation, a biopsy and an histopathological examination were performed and revealed the presence of round, dark brown cells in binary reproduction process, confirming the diagnosis of chromomycosis. The patient was treated with itraconazole and cryotherapy combination. Chromomycosis has differential diagnosis due to the clinical characteristics of the lesion; therefore specific tests are fundamental to confirm the diagnosis.

A case of extensive chromoblastomycosis from North India

A case of extensive chromoblastomycosis of the right leg and thigh with verruciform to nodular lesions evolving rapidly over five years duration is reported. The diagnosis was confirmed by visualizing pathognomonic pigmented muriform bodies with unique septate hyphae and mycological culture yielding Fonsecaea pedrosoi.

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.

Cromomicosis: reporte de un caso incapacitante / Chromomycosis: report of a disabling case

La cromomicosis es una micosis profunda subcutánea producida por hongos dimórficos que de forma habitual habitan en restos vegetales. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 51 años que seis años antes del ingreso se dedicaba a la fabricación de tejas en Madre de Dios, Perú; donde sufrió una lesión inicial papular en una pierna la cual se extendió hasta comprometer los cuatro miembros, con lesiones verrucosas que lo llevaron a la discapacidad. Se observaron cuerpos fumagoides en la biopsia de piel. El paciente fue hospitalizado y recibió curaciones tópicas, antibioticoterapia y terbinafina. Fue dado de alta al cabo de dos meses con mejoría clínica.

Chromomycosis is a deep subcutaneous mycosis caused by different dymorphic fungi species that normally live in vegetal debris. We report the case of a 51 year-old patient that six years previous to the evaluation worked making roof tiles in Madre de Dios, Peru; where he presented an initial papular lesion in a leg, which continued expanding until the 4 limbs were affected with disabling verrucous lesions. Fumagoid cells were found in the skin biopsy. The patient was hospitalized and received topical cleaning, antibiotics and terbinafine. He was discharged two months later with clinical improvement.

Chromoblastomycosis in Santa Catarina state, Brazil / Cromoblastomicosis en el estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil

A case of chromoblastomycosis caused by Cladophialophora carrionii is reported. The diabetic and hypertensive patient presented serpiginous and verrucous lesions, with centrifugal evolution. The patient, with a history of disease for 59 years, had not been diagnosed or treated before. Dematiaceous septate hyphal and elliptical conidia were seen on microscopic observations. The isolated fungus was identified on the basis of micro-macromorphologic characteristics.

Se reportó un caso de cromoblastomicosis causado por Cladophialophora carrionii. El paciente, diabético e hipertenso, presentaba lesiones de apariencia verrugosa y serpiginosa, con evolución centrífuga. Tenía un historial de enfermedad hace 59 años sin haber sido diagnosticado hasta entonces. En el examen microscópico de observaron elementos hifales septados, pigmentados y con conidios elípticos. La identificación del hongo se basó en las características macromorfológicas y micromorfológicas.

Cromoblastomicose: relato de 27 casos e revisão da literatura / Chromoblastomycosis: study of 27 cases and review of medical literature

FUNDAMENTOS: A cromoblastomicose é uma micose subcutânea que acomete principalmente homens trabalhadores rurais, sendo cada vez mais observada em outras atividades profissionais. O fungo penetra na pele após inoculação, e o agente mais frequentemente isolado é a Fonsecaea pedrosoi. OBJETIVOS: Este estudo visa a avaliar os pacientes com cromoblastomicose admitidos no departamento de dermatologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo no período de 1997 a 2007. MÉTODOS: É um estudo retrospectivo, utilizando a revisão de prontuários, e inclui 27 pacientes. Analisaram-se os tratamentos prévios e os atuais instituídos, o tempo entre o aparecimento das lesões e o diagnóstico, a idade, o gênero, a profissão, a procedência, a localização das lesões e os agentes isolados em cultivo. RESULTADOS: Vinte e dois pacientes eram procedentes do estado de São Paulo. Os demais eram procedentes da Bahia e Rondônia. A maioria dos pacientes estudados eram trabalhadores rurais (37 por cento). Os homens foram os mais acometidos (85 por cento). A maior parte dos pacientes apresentava lesões nos membros inferiores (59,2 por cento). Em 52 por cento dos casos foi isolado o fungo F. pedrosoi. O exame anatomopatológico mostrou corpos escleróticos em 92,5 por cento dos casos. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados encontrados estão concordantes com os da literatura, sendo este o segundo estudo retrospectivo sobre as características dos doentes portadores de cromoblastomicose no âmbito do estado de São Paulo publicado na literatura indexada.

BACKGROUND: Chromoblastomycosis is a subcutaneous mycosis that occurs mainly in rural workers although is being more commonly found among people working in other sectors. The fungus penetrates the skin after its inoculation and the most frequently isolated agent is the Fonsecaea pedrosoi. OBJECTIVES: This study aims at evaluating patients suffering from chromoblastomycosis admitted into the Department of Dermatology of the University Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine of São Paulo State during the ten-year period from 1997 to 2007. METHODS: It is a retrospective study and the medical report cards of 27 Brazilian patients diagnosed as suffering from Chromoblastomycosis from 1997 to 2007 at the Dermatology Department of the Medical School, University of Sao Paulo were reviewed. The following items were analyzed: previous therapeutic approaches; treatment implemented by the group; length of time between the appearing of the lesion and diagnosis; age; gender; profession; origin; site of lesions; isolated agents found in culture and histopathology. RESULTS: Twenty two patients were from the state of Sao Paulo whereas the others came from the states of Bahia and Rondonia. 37 percent of them were rural workers. Men were more frequently infected (85 percent). Lesions were more commonly found on the lower limbs (59.2 percent). In 52 percent of the cases the isolated agent was the dematiaceous fungus Fonsecaea. pedrosoi. Biopsies showed sclerotic bodies in 92.5 percent of the cases. CONCLUSION: Data found are in accordance with medical literature on the subject. The disease had been previously studied in our institution in 1983 by Cucé et al. This present study is the second retrospective one about the characteristics of patients suffering from chromoblastmycosis which has been published in indexed medical literature in the state of Sao Paulo.

Dermatite verrucosa de Pedroso e Gomes (Cromomicose): 90 anos depois, ainda entre nós / Pedroso and Gomes' verrucous Dermatitis (Chromoblastomycosis): 90 years on and still among us

Os autores relatam o caso clínico de uma doente que procurou atendimento dermatológico em decorrência da presença de lesão em placa papulosa de superfície verrucosa no cotovelo esquerdo.

In this report, the authors describe the clinical case of a woman seeking care at this dermatology outpatient clinic with a verrucous plaque on her left elbow.

Cladophialophora carrionii: a rare agent of chromoblastomycosis in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil / Cladophialophora carrionii: agente raro de cromoblastomicose no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

A 73 year-old male farm laborer from a rural area presented a 15 year history of extensive tumoral lesions over his left leg. Histological studies of skin biopsy showed pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia and granulomatous chronic inflammatory process with muriform cells, confirming chromoblastomycosis (CBM). Cladophialophora carrionii was isolated in culture. Treatment with itraconazole 400 mg/day for 12 months resulted in complete remission of lesions. As far we aware, this is the first case report of CBM caused by Cladophialophora carrionii in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.

Lavrador, com 73 anos, residente em área rural apresentava há 15 anos lesões tumorais disseminadas na perna esquerda. Exame histopatológico de biópsia de pele mostrou hiperplasia pseudo-epiteliomatosa e processo inflamatório crônico granulomatoso com células muriformes, confirmando o diagnóstico de cromoblastomicose (CBM). Cladophialophora carrionii foi isolado na cultura. Tratamento com itraconazol 400 mg/dia durante 12 meses resultou na completa remissão das lesões. Este é o primeiro relato de CBM causado por C. carrionii no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

Cromoblastomicose. Estudo de uma série de 14 casos atendidos no Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, de 1994 a 2005 / Chromoblastomycosis. Study of series of 14 cases attended in Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, de 1994 a 2005

Este estudo de série de casos englobou 14 casos de Cromoblastomicose (CBM), micose crônica de longa evolução, atendidos no Serviço de Dermatologia no Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas (IPEC) - Fiocruz, no período de 1994 a 2005, e teve o objetivo de avaliar os aspectos epidemiológico, clínico, diagnóstico e terapêutico da micose. A presença de células muriformes no exame histopatológico ou micológico foi o critério de inclusão dos pacientes no estudo. Os resultados foram apresentados sob forma de dois artigos. O sexo masculino foi predominante em 71,4 por cento dos casos (10/14), a idade variou de 39 a 77 anos (média 61). Contato com o solo foi relatado por 11 pacientes, sendo 8 deles por motivos profissionais e 3 por atividades de lazer. Destes 11, apenas 3 referiam trauma com planta e madeira. Hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) em seis pacientes (42,9 por cento), Diabetes mellitus (DM) em quatro pacientes (28,6 por cento), neurocisticercose em um paciente (7,1 por cento) e imunossupressão induzida por drogas (tacrolimus, micofenolato mofetil e prednisoma) em um paciente (7,1 por cento) foram as comorbidades apresentadas. O tempo da doença variou de 8 meses a 32 anos, sendo em metade dos pacientes maior que 10 anos. O tipo clínico verrucoso (seis casos) e a forma grave (sete casos) (lesões disseminadas segundo a classificação proposta por Queiroz-Telles e cols., 1992a) foram os mais encontrados, assim como a localização em membros inferiores em metade dos pacientes. As formas graves estiveram ao longo tempo de evolução. O exame micológico isolou Fonsecaea pedrosoi em 71,4 por cento (10 casos) e Cladophialophora carrionii em um caso (7,1 por cento), não havendo o isolamento em dois casos e um dos isolados não pôde ser classificado. Confirmação das espécies pela técnica de reação em cadeia de polimerase (PCR) foi realizada em dez isolados de cultura. Tratamento no IPEC foi realizado em 11 pacientes, 2 foram transferidos para outros estados e...paciente.

Chromoblastomycosis.

A case of a 45 years male patient with irregular warty growths over the right leg of 35 years duration is reported. The diagnosis was confirmed mycologically and histopathologically. Isolate was identified as Fonsecaea pedrosoi.