Chinese Journal of Dermatology

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Foot hyalohyphomycosis caused by Fusarium subglutinans:a case report

CHEN Qiu-xia1, HUANG Wen-ming1, SHI Jian-qiang1, LI Wen1, LI Shun-fan1, LU Rong-xi1, BAI Feng-yan2   

  1. Department of Dermatology, Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang 524001, Guangdong, China
  • Received:2006-10-09 Online:2007-08-15 Published:2007-08-15

Abstract: Objective To report a case of foot hyalohyphomycosis due to Fusarium subglutinans. Methods Medical history was collected and physical examination performed for this patient.Biopsy samples were obtained from the inner side of right ankle of this patient and subjected to pathological examination. Discharge was collected from the lesions for direct microscopic examination and culture.Results A 72-year-old woman presented with an ulcer on the right foot for 3 years.Physical examination disclosed an ulcer,measuring 3 cm×1.5 cm,with a moist surface and obvious tenderness,at the inner side of the right ankle.Proliferation of dusky-red granulomatous tissue was observed at the base of the ulcer.Pathological examination revealed necrotic granulomatous tissue and slender,septate and hyaline hypha-like structure in the superficial dermis with scattered infiltration of inflammatory cells.PAS staining showed sausage-like hypha and scattered orbicular-ovate spores.Microscopic examination of lesional discharge exhibited septate, branching and hyaline hypha.The isolated fungus was identified as Fusarium subglutinans by culture,and appeared to be highly sensitive to terbinafine,nystatin and amphotericin B.The lesion completely healed after 2 months of treatment with oral terbinafine (0.25 g,twice a day).Conclusions This is a case of foot hyalohyphomycosis due to Fusarium subglutinans,and terbinafine is effective for this condition.

Key words: Fusarium, Mycoses, Hyalohyphomycosis, Terbinafine