Korean J Med Mycol.  2016 Mar;21(1):20-25. 10.17966/KJMM.2016.21.1.20.

A Case of Cutaneous Aspergillus flavus Infection in a Immunocompetent Patient

• Jung JY
• Kim MS
• Park JY
• Cho EB
• Park EJ
• Kim KH
• Kim KJ

• KMID: 2164137
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17966/KJMM.2016.21.1.20

Abstract

Fungi of Aspergillus genus are widely distributed in nature, particularly in the soil and in decomposing vegetation. They are frequent opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised patients, second only to Candida. The most common agent is A. fumigatus, followed by A. flavus, mainly in invasive disease in immunocompromised patients, and in nasal or paranasal sinus lesions. Cutaneous aspergillosis is a rare condition. There are several factors that predispose to Aspergillus infection: the most frequent are granulocytopenia, haematological disorders, diabetes, the neonatal period, local tissue injury, and any primary or acquired diseases that cause immunosuppression. A 25-year-old male was referred to department of dermatology for his skin lesions on the both axillary areas. The skin lesions showed localized erythematous to brownish scaly patches on the both axillary areas. A KOH mount fungal smear showed fungal hyphae, and Aspergillus species was grown in culture. rDNA ITS sequencing result was also consistent with A. flavus. He was treated with itraconazole 200 mg daily for 4 weeks, and showed a good response. This case is thought to be peculiar in that cutaneous aspergillosis is detected in an immunocompetent host.

Keyword

Aspergillus species infection; Aspergillus flavus; Immunocompetent host

MeSH Terms

Adult
Agranulocytosis
Aspergillosis
Aspergillus flavus*
Aspergillus*
Candida
Dermatology
DNA, Ribosomal
Fungi
Humans
Hyphae
Immunocompromised Host
Immunosuppression
Itraconazole
Male
Skin
Soil
DNA, Ribosomal
Itraconazole
Soil