Heat treatment for certain chronic granulomatous skin infections

Four cases of chronic granulomatous skin infections (two due to Sporothrix schenckii and two to Mycobacterium marinum) were treated primarily by the intermittent application of local hyperthermia. This treatment was initiated either because of intolerance to conventional iodide therapy for sporotrichosis or as interim therapy while awaiting diagnosis of the mycobacterial infections. The response indicated that the application of heat is a useful adjunct to the therapy of these infections. Our experience, and that of others, suggests that in some cases heat alone may be curative.