Cutaneous Bipolaris spicifera infection
B F Straka1, P H Cooper, B A Body
1Department of Dermatology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908.
Abstract:
Bipolaris spicifera is a dematiaceous fungus that has rarely been reported to cause cutaneous infection in humans. A patient with leukemia was examined for a non-healing ulcer on her leg that developed following minor trauma. Histopathologic study revealed groups of nonpigmented, septate fungal hyphae located predominantly in the necrotic ulcer base. Cultures of a biopsy specimen yielded colonies that were gray to black with a black reverse. Microscopic examination revealed dematiaceous, straight, oblong conidia consistent with B spicifera. The ulcer was successfully treated with surgical excision, skin graft, and amphotericin B.
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