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[A case of dermal cutaneous alternariosis]

Yui Minagawa1, Izumi Konohana

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Hiratsuka City Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan.

Nihon Ishinkin Gakkai Zasshi = Japanese Journal of Medical Mycology
|August 12, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Alternaria, a fungus, can cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals. This case highlights the challenges in treating dermal alternariosis, emphasizing the need for prompt diagnosis in susceptible patients.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Alternaria species are ubiquitous fungi, typically saprophytic, feeding on decaying plant matter.
  • They can act as opportunistic pathogens, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems.

Observation:

  • A 70-year-old patient with autoimmune hemolytic anemia on systemic steroids, chronic heart failure, liver dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus presented with a skin infection.
  • Histological examination and multiple cultures confirmed dermal cutaneous alternariosis.

Findings:

  • Standard antifungal treatments, including oral terbinafine and itraconazole, proved ineffective.
  • This case, along with a literature review, brings the total reported cases of dermal cutaneous alternariosis in Japan to 15.

Implications:

  • Early recognition of Alternaria as a potential opportunistic pathogen is crucial for diagnosing dermatologic lesions in immunocompromised hosts.
  • This underscores the importance of considering fungal infections in the differential diagnosis of granulomatous lesions or ulcers in vulnerable populations.

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