[Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Phaeoacremonium parasiticum]

Abstract

Background: From the available literature, it is demonstrated that dematiaceous fungal infections mostly affect immunosuppressed patients. These infections can occur in different forms, from subcutaneous infection to disseminated forms that may compromise the life of the patient. In many cases the infection is related to the inoculation of the microorganism by diverse traumatic mechanisms, which determines the course of the infection to be slower in some cases.

Case report: We describe two cases of phaeohyphomycosis caused by Phaeoacremonium parasiticum: A cancer patient with subcutaneous lesions affecting the left hand and forearm, and a patient who presented with subcutaneous abscesses in the left leg.

Conclusions: These cases confirm the presence of this type of fungus in Spain. In the second case a combination of amphotericin B lipid complex and posaconazole, together with several surgical resections, were necessary in order to overcome the infection.

Keywords: Feohifomicosis subcutánea; Kidney transplant; Phaeoacremonium parasiticum; Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis; Trasplante renal.