title: Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis in immunocompetent patients: two new cases caused by Exophiala jeanselmei and Cladophialophora carrionii.
abstract: Phaeohyphomycosis is a distinct mycotic infection of the skin or internal organs caused by darkly pigmented (dematiaceous) fungi, which are widely distributed in the environment. Phaeohyphomycosis is most frequently an opportunistic infection in immunosuppressed patients (HIV, corticotherapy, transplant patients) or is frequently associated with chronic diseases and diabetes. The spectrum of the disease is broad and includes superficial infections, onychomycosis, subcutaneous infections, keratitis, allergic disease, pneumonia, brain abscesses and disseminated disease. Rarely, immunocompetent patients may be affected. We describe two new cases of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis in immunocompetent patients: in the first patient, the causative agent was Exophiala jeanselmei, a common cause of phaeohyphomycosis; and in the second, Cladophialophora carrionii, which could be identified by culture. Cladophialophora carrionii is mainly the aetiological agent of chromoblastomycosis and only rarely the cause of phaeohyphomycosis. The first patient was treated with surgical excision and oral itraconazole, and the second patient responded to oral itraconazole only. Lesions improved in both patients and no recurrence was observed at follow-up visits.
authors.forename: José Napoleão Tavares
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Parente
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Talhari
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ginter-Hanselmayer
authors.forename: Antônio Pedro Mendes
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Schettini
authors.forename: Josie da Costa
authors.initials: Jda C
authors.lastname: Eiras
authors.forename: João Vicente Braga
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tavares
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Buzina
authors.forename: Alexandra Maria Giovanna
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Brunasso
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Massone
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001203:Ascomycota / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003646:Debridement; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005093:Exophiala / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D017964:Itraconazole