Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
10:45
Deep Dermal Injection As a Model of Candida albicans Skin Infection for Histological Analyses
Published on: June 13, 2018
Fusarium skin infection: a case report
Kritika Vishwanath Singhal1, Vikrant Saoji, Sandhya V Saoji
1Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Sawangi, Wardha, India.
Dermatology Online Journal
|May 8, 2012
Summary
A rare Fusarium infection caused a forehead ulcer and knee nodule in a 65-year-old man. Despite treatment with itraconazole, the patient experienced a sudden, unexpected death, raising questions about potential steroid treatment links.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
Background:
- Disseminated Fusarium infections are rare, particularly in immunocompetent individuals.
- Inhalational corticosteroid use is a potential risk factor for opportunistic fungal infections.
- This case highlights a severe presentation of Fusarium infection.
Observation:
- A 65-year-old male presented with a necrotic forehead ulcer and a subcutaneous nodule on his knee.
- Symptoms included severe headache, suggesting potential systemic involvement.
- Fungal elements consistent with Fusarium were identified on biopsy and culture.
Findings:
- The patient had a history of bronchial asthma treated with inhalational steroids.
- Diagnosis of disseminated Fusarium infection was confirmed.
- Treatment with oral itraconazole led to clinical improvement.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering Fusarium as a pathogen in unusual ulcerative and subcutaneous lesions.
- The potential role of inhalational steroids in disseminated Fusarium infection warrants further investigation.
- The unexpected mortality highlights the aggressive nature of some Fusarium infections and the need for prompt diagnosis and management.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Skin 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...
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
01:29Staphylococcal 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...
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
01:27The Skin Microbiota
The human skin serves as a complex ecosystem inhabited by a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining skin health and defending against pathogenic invaders. The composition of microbial communities varies significantly across different regions of the body, influenced primarily by the local levels of moisture and sebum.Regional Variation in Skin MicrobiotaCutibacterium acnes predominantly colonizes sebaceous...
01:29Fungal Group Zygomycota
Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
01:27Acne 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...