title: Two cases of cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis by Alternaria alternata and Alternaria tenuissima.
abstract: Two cases of cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis, one with a nodular appearance and the other with an erythematous infiltrating patch, are reported in immunocompromised patients. Diagnosis was based on histological examination, which revealed hyphae and round-shaped fungal cells in a granulomatous dermal infiltrate, and on identification of the moulds when biopsy fragments were cultured on Sabouraud-dextrose agar without cycloheximide. The pathogens were Alternaria tenuissima in the first case and A. alternata in the second. The fungi were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The patients were checked for bone and lung involvement and were then treated with surgical excision and itraconazole, and itraconazole only, respectively, with clinical and mycological resolution.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Clinica Dermosifilopatica, Università degli Studi di Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Valenti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miracco
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alessandrini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paccagnini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Faggi
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Difonzo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000528:Alternaria / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D016572:Cyclosporine; D008775:Methylprednisolone