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.

Mycoses
|May 1, 1995
PubMed

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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