[Unusual causes of chromomycosis]

The typical clinical picture and mycological and histological basis of chromomycosis is compared with the clinical course, which is encountered more often nowadays. It refers also to the affection of the vascular, respiratory, lymphatic system, the brain and the dissemination in compromised patients. For this reason chromomycosis should rank among opportunistic mycoses. Chromohyphomycosis characterized by skin nodules occurs very rarely. Subcutaneous abscesses also called phaeomycotic cysts, are more frequent especially after corticoid and immunosuppressive therapy. Among three Czechoslovak cases of chromomycosis, the case in Pilsen can be evaluated as uncommon. It was caused by Phialophora pedrosoi and passed as a skin form of chromomycosis. The lesion developed on the right forefinger of a patient who never visited tropical countries. She never was seriously ill, never treated with antibiotics, chemotherapeutics, or corticosteroids. The histological examination of the excision revealed a granuloma with histiocytes and many giant cells phagocytizing typical spherical brown microorganisms. The patient was cured by KI, intraiodine and X-ray therapy.