title: Fatal sporotrichosis.
abstract: Disseminated sporotrichosis is a serious fungal infection caused by the soil inhabitant Sporothrix schenckii. It is seen in immunocompromised patients, with a substantial number of recent cases involving patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, individuals with other conditions that affect the immune system also are at increased risk. We report a case of fatal disseminated sporotrichosis in a patient with liver disease and a diagnosis of a granulomatous condition presumed to be sarcoidosis; the patient was receiving systemic corticosteroid therapy. The various presentations of S schenckii infection, the risk of disseminated disease in immunocompromised hosts, and the importance of making accurate histologic diagnoses are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Yelverton
authors.forename: Cloyce L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Stetson
authors.forename: Ran H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.forename: Justin W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: David F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Butler
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005121:Extremities; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013175:Sporothrix / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013174:Sporotrichosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones