Abstract: Primary cutaneous mucormycosis caused by Rh.variabilis sp.nov.is reported.A 37-year-old female peasant from Jiangsu province noticed small nodules with pruritus on the back of her right land 18 years ago,the nodules gradually coalesced to form plagues,and extended to the wrist,palm and the 3rd-5th fingers.Histopathological changes showed eoxinophilic granuloma in the reticular dermis,and many broad,transparent mycelian hyphae with no septate.There were no hyphae invaded into the blood vessels.The fungus was isolated once again in 1990,and was identified and named as Rhizomucor variabilis sp.nov.The intracutaneous inoeulation of the suspension of the fungi into rabbit skirt revealed similar clinical and histopathological changes in the patient.

Key words: Mucormycosis, Mucor, Dermatomycoses