Case Report
Year: 2020 | Month: June | Volume: 10 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 162-164
Phaeohyphomycosis and Chromoblastomycosis: A Diagnostic Dilemma
Akanksha Gupta1, M. L. Yadav2, Priyanka Goyal1, ShreyaAgarwal1, Suvarna Mathur1
1Department of Pathology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
2Professor and Head of Department, Department of Pathology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Corresponding Author: Akanksha Gupta
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Phaeohyphomycosis is a rare fungal infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by melanin-producing fungi i.e. dematiaceous fungi. They are sometimes indistinguishable from a condition called Chromoblastomycosis, commonly seen in tropical countries.
Case History: A 46-year old male presented with a gradual increase in swelling associated with discharge and bleeding from the lesions over right great toe the last 10 months. After 8 months, he developed another similar swelling over the left leg. Surgical resection was done and tissue was sent for histopathology.
Histopathological examination revealed marked infiltration by acute and chronic inflammatory cells with the formation of microabscesses containing a large number of pigmented round to oval cells suggestive of the dematiaceous fungal organisms.
Discussion: Phaeohyphomycosis is caused by fungi of genus Alternaria. Bipolaris, Cladophialophora, Cladosporium, Exophiala, Fonsecaea, Phialophora, etc. They have a wide range of presentations. Histopathological examination is usually diagnostic for chromoblastomycosis. Masson-Fontana staining for melanin confirms their presence. Fungal culture can be done for exact species identification.
Conclusion: Diagnosing Phaeohyphomycosis and Chromoblastomycosis is a dilemma for clinicians. Detailed clinical history and histopathology with fungal culture for speciation help in accurately diagnosing Phaeohyphomycosis.
Key words: Phaeohyphomycosis, Chromoblastomycosis.