Blastomycosis-Like Pyoderma- A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Blastomycosis-like pyoderma is a rare, cutaneous bacterial infection of skin, seen in malnourished individuals, in a poor state of health and manifests as vegetating skin lesions. It is an unusual tissue reaction possibly to bacterial infection, the most common organism being Staphylococcus aureus. This case report is of a 35-year-old male who presented with thick verrucous surfaced plaques and papules on trunk and extremities since 2 months. Investigations revealed anaemia with hypochromasia, neutrophilic leucocytosis, hypo-proteinemia and hypo-albuminemia with reversal of A/G ratio. Pathergy test was negative. Pus on Gram's stain showed plenty of pus cells, and negative for AFB and fungal stain. On culture of pus grew Coagulase negative staphylococcus species. Biopsy showed acanthosis of epidermis with moderate lymphocytic infiltrates in dermis and focally a few neutrophils and histiocytes. Patient fulfilled the criteria for diagnosis of blastomycosis like pyoderma viz., presentation of large verrucous plaques with pustules and ulcers with elevated border, histologically neutrophilic infiltration and growth of one pathogenic bacterium on culture. Patient responded to long-term cefotaxime therapy.

Keywords: Blastomycosis-like pyoderma; Coagulase negative staphylococcus species; Malnutrition.

[Table/Fig-1a-c]:

(Multiple small vegetative growths over upper limbs and a few ulcers over Right arm,1b: Vegetative plaques over lower leg,1c:crusted ulcers over the mammary area.

[Table/Fig-2]:

Shows moderate acanthosis of epidermis with lymphocytic infiltrate and a few neutrophils in dermis.