Two cases of cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Curvularia pallescens

Two cases of cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Curvularia pallescens are described. Lesions were found on the feet, thigh and thumb and were irregularly marginated, pruritic black and occasionally purulent. Histopathology revealed heavy infection of the stratum corneum and other cutaneous layers as well as host tissue response. The fungus appeared as dark, aggregated to simple branched hyphae. Oxiconazole was most effective 'in vitro' against the pathogen. This is the first report of C. pallescens as an opportunistic pathogen of human skin.