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| | CASE REPORT | | | | | Year : 1994 | Volume : 60 | Issue : 2 | Page : 95-96 | Chromoblastomycosis due to phialophora verrucosa
V Harshan
,
Correspondence Address:
V Harshan
Chromoblastomycosis or chromo mycosis is a rare deep fungal infection affecting the legs and feet. A typical, culture proved case of chromoblastomycosis caused by Phialophora verrucosa is being reported.
Keywords: Chromo mycosis, Deep fungal infection, Phialophora verrucosa
How to cite this article:
Harshan V. Chromoblastomycosis due to phialophora verrucosa. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 1994;60:95-6 |
| Introduction | |  |
Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic infection caused by various dematiaceous fungi, found in soil and in decaying wood. The species are distinguished on the basis of the conidiophores produced as Phialophora, Claydosporium or Acrotheca type of sporulation. [1]
The disease is prevalent in tropical countries like Africa, West Indies, South America and India. it is more common among agricultural workers and gardeners. [2]
Occasionally the disease begins on the hands or wrist involving the entire upper limb. Metastasis through the blood stream is rare but can occur.
| Case Report | | |
A 40-year-old male was seen in Dermatology centre for nodular pigmented verrucous lesions over both legs and feet with swelling of the legs of 5 years duration. He was an agriculturist by occupation and usually used to walk bare footed. The lesions started as small warty lesions over left leg [Figure - 1] and began to grow in size slowly. The lesions were painless.
Section of the skin showed squamous epithelial lining with hyperkeratosis and acanthosis; sub-epithelial layer showed collection of inflammatory cells. There was a granulomatous reaction [Figure - 2] with the formation of pseudo tubercles containing a few giant cells. The fungi seen by special stains were in the form of brown spherical cells with thick, dark cell walls and granular pigmented protoplasm. [Figure - 3]
Specimen on culture produced slowly growing black coloured heaped up colonies,
which showed Phialophora verrucosa type of sporulation. [Figure - 4]
| Comments | | |
Chromoblastomycosis is most commonly seen on the lower extremity and infection mostly occurs by accidental implantation of fungus on a traumatised site, but often the mode of infection remains unclear . [3]
But in present case, accidental implantation seems to be the route of entry as patient, an agriculturist by occuption and gave history of working barefooted, which gave an easy access to minor trauma.
| References | | |
| 1. | Arnold HL Jr, Odom RB, James WD. Chromoblastomycosis. In : Andrew's Disease of the Skin. (Arnold HL Jr, Odom RB, James WD, eds), 8th edn. Philadelphia : WB Saunders Company, 1990; 362-4.  | | 2. | Vollum DI. Chromomycosis : a review. Brit J Dermatol 1977; 96 : 454-8. [PUBMED] | | 3. | Sharma NL, Sharma RC, Gupta ML, Singh P. Possible lymphatic spread of pheomycotic subcutaneous cysts. Ind J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 1990; 56 : 452-3. |
Figures [Figure - 1], [Figure - 2], [Figure - 3], [Figure - 4]
| This article has been cited by | | 1 | Chromoblastomycosis in Nepal: A study of 13 cases | | | Pradhan, S.V., Talwar, O.P., Ghosh, A., Swami, R.M., Shiva Raj, K.C., Gupta, S. | | Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology. 2007; 73(3): 176-178 | | [Pubmed] | | | 2 | Chromoblastomycosis in India | | | Rajendran, C., Ramesh, V., Misra, R.S., Kandhari, S., Upreti, H.B., Datta, K.K. | | International Journal of Dermatology. 1997; 36(1): 29-33 | | [Pubmed] | |
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