Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia secondary to cutaneous aspergillus

Cutaneous aspergillosis commonly occurs in immunocompromised hosts and may also complicate burn wounds. Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia (PH) is a histologic reaction secondary to a wide range of stimuli, including fungal infection. We describe a case of an 18-year-old man, status-post burns over 70% of his total body surface area, with cutaneous aspergillosis of the axilla and secondary PH. A single case of PH secondary to primary aspergillosis has been described in the larynx but, to our knowledge, has never been described cutaneously. Histologic examination of the lesion reveals an irregularly acanthotic epidermis with deep invaginations within the dermis. There is an intense inflammatory reaction within the superficial and deep dermis. Numerous fungal forms are identified within the dermis. Special stains demonstrate septate hyphae with dichotomous branching, which is morphologically consistent with Aspergillus. Therefore, we conclude that cutaneous aspergillosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of causes of PH, especially in a patient population at risk for this infection.