title: Primary subcutaneous Alternaria alternata infection of the hand in an immunocompromised host.
abstract: We describe a case of a progressive subcutaneous Alternaria alternata infection in the hand of a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The diagnosis was based upon the examination of tissue biopsy and isolation of the etiologic agent in culture. The identity of the isolate was determined by phenotypic characteristics and by sequencing the ITS and D1/D2 regions of the rDNA. Despite combination therapy with voriconazole and micafungin, the lesion continued to progress. Posaconazole therapy, along with surgical excision of the infected tissue, resulted in the eradication of infection. The limitations of the clinical management of invasive Alternaria infections are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Combined Plastic Surgery Residency Training Program, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. dkpodzo@partners.org
authors.forename: Dzifa S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kpodzo
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Calderwood
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Ruchelsman
authors.forename: Jeremy S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Abramson
authors.forename: Adriano
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piris
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Winograd
authors.forename: Camille N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Kotton
mesh_terms: D000528:Alternaria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001706:Biopsy; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D003646:Debridement; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006225:Hand / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016533:Mycological Typing Techniques; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D004271:DNA, Fungal; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer