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Primary subcutaneous Alternaria alternata infection of the hand in an immunocompromised host

Dzifa S Kpodzo1, Michael S Calderwood, David E Ruchelsman

  • 1Harvard Combined Plastic Surgery Residency Training Program, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. dkpodzo@partners.org

Medical Mycology
|February 9, 2011
PubMed

Insights

A progressive subcutaneous infection caused by Alternaria alternata in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was successfully treated. Posaconazole combined with surgical excision eradicated the infection after other therapies failed.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Subcutaneous fungal infections can be challenging to manage, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) increases susceptibility to opportunistic infections.
  • Alternaria alternata is an emerging cause of fungal infections in humans.

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