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Published on: October 12, 2018
Phialophora verrucosa infection in an AIDS patient
J M Duggan1, M D Wolf, C A Kauffman
1Department of Internal Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor 48105, USA.
Abstract:
Phialophora verrucosa is one of several pathogenic dematiaceous fungi associated with chromomycosis and occasionally phaeohyphomycosis. Infection appears to be increasing in frequency in both immunocompromised and presumably healthy patients. Medical therapy is often difficult, and a wide variety of antifungal agents have been tried with varying degrees of success. We report a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and extensive cutaneous fungal infection due to Phialophora verrucosa. The disease failed to respond to ketoconazole, but regression of the lesions was obtained with itraconazole.
Insights
Phialophora verrucosa infections, causing chromomycosis, are rising in frequency. Itraconazole effectively treated a patient with AIDS and extensive skin lesions, unlike ketoconazole.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
Background:
- Phialophora verrucosa is a pathogenic dematiaceous fungus.
- Chromomycosis and phaeohyphomyphomycosis are fungal infections caused by dematiaceous fungi.
- These infections are increasingly reported in immunocompromised and healthy individuals.
Observation:
- A patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) presented with extensive cutaneous fungal infection.
- The infection was caused by Phialophora verrucosa.
- Initial treatment with ketoconazole was unsuccessful.
Findings:
- Regression of lesions was achieved with itraconazole therapy.
- Itraconazole demonstrated efficacy where ketoconazole failed.
- This highlights a potential treatment option for Phialophora verrucosa infections.
Implications:
- Itraconazole may be a valuable therapeutic option for Phialophora verrucosa infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
- The increasing incidence of these fungal infections warrants further investigation into treatment strategies.
- This case contributes to understanding the management of rare fungal diseases.
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