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Review
. 2020 Jan 7;100(1):adv00005.
doi: 10.2340/00015555-3338.

Infectious Pseudochromhidrosis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Christoffer Aam Ingvaldsen  1 , Truls Michael Leegaard, Gunnhild Kravdal, Cato Mørk
Affiliations
Review

Infectious Pseudochromhidrosis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Christoffer Aam Ingvaldsen et al. Acta Derm Venereol. .

Abstract

Infectious pseudochromhidrosis is a rare dermatological disorder, characterized by a change in colour of the sweat from normal skin, caused by pigments from microorganisms. Such pigments are a result of evolutionary competition among microorganisms, which appears to be a decisive factor in their survival, patho-genicity, and virulence. Four bacteria are known to be involved in infectious pseudochromhidrosis: Bacillus spp. (blue colour), Corynebacterium spp. (brown/black colour), Serratia marcescens (red/pink colour), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (blue-green colour). Infectious pseudochromhidrosis seems to be triggered by certain drugs and conditions causing physiological alterations and/or changes in microflora on the skin surface. The condition can be treated by addressing potential triggers and/or prescribing antibiotic/antiseptic therapies. We report here a case of blue infectious pseudochromhidrosis caused by pigment-producing Bacillus cereus and the results of a literature review.

Keywords: chromhidrosis; coloured sweat; infectious pseudochromhidrosis; pigment; pseudochromhidrosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Clinical photographs. (a) Blue discolouration on dorsal side of the hand primarily covering the joints. (b) Diffuse blue discolouration with an ashen hue on dorsal side of the foot. (c) Diffuse blue discolouration on the neck. Blurred circle covering tattoo.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Alcohol wipes from (a) hands and (b) neck easily removed the discolouration and revealed its blue colour.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Fluorescent material on dorsal aspects of the feet (especially interdigitally).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Bacillus cereus: 2 isolates; one with a blue tint and one without.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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