Extensive subcutaneous hyphomycosis caused by Fusarium oxysporum

Abstract

Subcutaneous granulomatous lesions by hyaline moulds are rare. This report describes a case of hyalohyphomycosis by Fusarium oxysporum. The patient was a 16-year-old Sri Lankan girl who had had extensive lesions in both arms almost from infancy. The fungus was demonstrated in KOH mounts and in histopathological sections. It was isolated repeatedly from her lesions over a period of 10 months. Combined therapy with ketoconazole and 5-fluorocytosine resulted in marked improvement. An inherent immune defect is postulated to account for the prolonged and extensive infection by a relatively non-aggressive fungus.