Chromomycosis

Abstract

Chromomycosis is a general term to express human and animal fungal infections caused by members of the family Dematiaceae (dark brown or black fungi). Unique host-parasite relationships produce a wide spectrum of clinical disease, sometimes difficult to treat. Four major categories are recognized: 1) Superficial Chromomycosis--A pigmented macule produced by fungus inhabiting exclusively the dead horny layer (stratum corneum) of the skin, as in tinea nigra palmaris. 2) Chromoblastomycosis--A verrucous, slow growing nodule or plaque produced by fungi, characteristically and exclusively present as large brown spherical bodies (chromo bodies) in the dermis. 3) Chromohyphomycosis--A dermal nodule produced by fungi displaying typical brown septated hyphae. Rarely, the fungus may appear as a yeast. It may occur in deeper tissues, i.e., muscles, bone and brain or it may also involve the eye (Keratomycosis). 4) Chromomycetoma--Tumefaction, draining sinuses and presence of colony of organisms as "grain". Dematiaceae are found more frequently in veterinary than in human medicine.