Chromoblastomycosis caused by Rhinocladiella aquaspersa: first case report in Guatemala

An Bras Dermatol. 2019 Sep-Oct;94(5):574-577. doi: 10.1016/j.abd.2019.09.014. Epub 2019 Sep 30.

Abstract

The authors report a case of 40-year-old male patient with a five-year history of chromoblastomycosis on his right leg. Diagnosis was performed by direct 40% KOH exam of skin scales, culture with micro- and macromorphologic analysis, and genotypic characterization (sequencing of a fragment of the ITS region and phylogenetic analysis) of the isolated fungus. Rhinocladiella aquaspersa was identified as the etiological agent. Initially, the treatment was with oral itraconazole 200mg/day for one year. However, the presence of "sclerotic cells" with filaments ("Borelli spiders") resulted in a change of medical treatment: a higher dose of itraconazole (400mg/day) and surgery, achieving clinical and mycological cure in one year. This is the first report of chromoblastomycosis caused by R. aquaspersa in Guatemala.

Keywords: Chromoblastomycosis; Dermatology; Mycoses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Ascomycota / isolation & purification*
  • Ascomycota / ultrastructure
  • Chromoblastomycosis / drug therapy
  • Chromoblastomycosis / microbiology*
  • Chromoblastomycosis / pathology
  • Guatemala
  • Humans
  • Itraconazole / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Itraconazole