Related Experiment Videos
Sporotrichoid phaeohyphomycosis due to Alternaria infectoria
R Gerdsen1, M Uerlich, G S De Hoog
1Department of Dermatology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany. Rainer.Gerdsen@ukb.uni-bonn.de
Abstract:
We describe a cardiac transplant patient who had human cutaneous alternariosis with a sporotrichoid distribution of skin lesions. In this patient identification of the causative organism Alternaria infectoria was achieved by sequencing the rDNA internal transcribed spacer domain. Treatment with itraconazole led to clinical resolution within 4 months.
Insights
A cardiac transplant patient experienced a rare fungal skin infection, human cutaneous alternariosis. Itraconazole effectively treated the infection caused by Alternaria infectoria, identified via rDNA sequencing.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Cardiac transplant recipients are immunocompromised, increasing susceptibility to opportunistic infections.
- Fungal infections can manifest in various ways in immunocompromised individuals.
Observation:
- A cardiac transplant patient presented with human cutaneous alternariosis.
- The skin lesions exhibited a sporotrichoid distribution, a pattern typically seen in certain fungal or bacterial infections.
Findings:
- The causative agent was identified as Alternaria infectoria using ribosomal DNA (rDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) domain sequencing.
- Molecular identification confirmed the specific fungal species responsible for the cutaneous infection.
Implications:
- This case highlights Alternaria infectoria as a potential pathogen in immunocompromised patients.
- Effective treatment with itraconazole suggests a viable therapeutic option for this specific fungal infection.
- RDNA sequencing is a valuable tool for accurate fungal identification in clinical settings.