Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

A Metadata Extraction Approach for Clinical Case Reports to Enable Advanced Understanding of Biomedical Concepts
07:50

A Metadata Extraction Approach for Clinical Case Reports to Enable Advanced Understanding of Biomedical Concepts

Published on: September 20, 2018

[Case of cutaneous Pseudallescheria boydii infection caused by trauma]

Takeshi Ouchi1, Tomotaka Sato, Naho Yoshizawa

  • 1Shizuoka Municipal Shimizu Hosipital, Shizuoka, Japan.

Nihon Ishinkin Gakkai Zasshi = Japanese Journal of Medical Mycology
|May 3, 2008
PubMed

Insights

A rare cutaneous infection caused by Pseudallescheria boydii fungus occurred in an immunocompromised patient. Prompt diagnosis and itraconazole treatment led to the lesion

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Pseudallescheria boydii is a ubiquitous filamentous fungus.
  • Immunocompromised individuals are susceptible to opportunistic infections.
  • Radiation therapy for breast cancer can lead to complications like radiation pneumonitis.

Observation:

  • A 79-year-old Japanese man developed a 2-week history of a left knee lesion.
  • The patient was on oral prednisolone for radiation pneumonitis.
  • Biopsy revealed granulomatous inflammation with hyphae; culture confirmed P. boydii.

Findings:

  • Cutaneous P. boydii infection was diagnosed via clinical presentation, biopsy, and rDNA ITS sequencing.
  • Oral itraconazole (200 mg/day) effectively treated the fungal infection.
  • The lesion resolved, leaving a hypertrophic scar.

Implications:

  • Cutaneous injury can predispose to localized fungal infections.
  • Rare fungal infections like P. boydii should be considered in immunocompromised patients with chronic skin ulcers.
  • Accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial for managing potentially life-threatening opportunistic infections.

Related Concept Videos

Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
American Trypanosomiasis01:22

American Trypanosomiasis

Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a vector-borne parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a flagellated protozoan (kinetoplastid) of the family Trypanosomatidae. The disease is endemic in Latin America, although cases are increasingly reported worldwide due to human migration. Transmission most commonly occurs when feces of infected triatomine bugs contaminate bite wounds or mucosal surfaces; additional routes include congenital, transfusional, transplant-related, and oral...
Burn Injuries01:22

Burn Injuries

Burn injuries occur when the skin and underlying tissues are damaged due to exposure to heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation, or friction. They can vary in severity, from minor superficial burns to severe deep burns that can be life-threatening.
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
Acne Infection01:27

Acne Infection

Acne is a multifactorial skin condition primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, with a global prevalence estimated to exceed 75% in this demographic. The condition is characterized by the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules, and, in severe cases, cysts, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the face, neck, chest, and back. The pathogenesis involves increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization by...