title: Primary cutaneous aspergillosis in an immunocompetent patient.
abstract: We present a 32-year-old woman with primary cutaneous aspergillosis and an apparently normal immune status. She is a dietitian who carried out research on Aspergillus contamination of palm oil over a six-month period, during which she apparently shaved her axillae and perineum using a safety razor blade. She presented with nodular lesions, which became extensive ulcers after an attempt at incision and drainage. Diagnosis was based on culture and histology. The patient was treated with itraconazole 200 mg twice a day, with surgical excision and a rhomboid flap cover of the axillae. She has remained disease-free five years after discharge. This highlights the likely benefits of a combination of surgical excision and drug therapy, in achieving a cure in this patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Chubado
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tahir
authors.forename: Musa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garbati
authors.forename: Haruna A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Nggada
authors.forename: Edith H Terna
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Yawe
authors.forename: Auwal M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Abubakar