Cutaneous Phaeohyphomycosis of the Right Hand Caused by Exophiala jeanselmei: A Case Report and Literature Review

Mycopathologia. 2022 Jun;187(2-3):259-269. doi: 10.1007/s11046-022-00623-y. Epub 2022 Mar 21.

Abstract

Exophiala spp. is increasingly reported as a pathogen causing the cutaneous, subcutaneous or invasive infection. In this report, we present a case of cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to E. jeanselmei on the right hand of a farmer, who suffered from this disease three years ago which had not been definitely diagnosed until he was admitted to our hospital. In our hospital, a potential fungal pathogen was observed by histopathological examination, and then was recovered and identified as E. jeanselmei by sequencing its internal transcribed spacer region. After 4 weeks of antifungal treatment, his hand recovered very well. To investigate the in vitro susceptibility of E. jeanselmei isolates to antifungal agents and compare the characteristics of their related infections among immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients, we reviewed 84 cases published in PubMed database between 1980 and 2020.

Keywords: Exophiala jeanselmei; Infection; Literature review; Phaeohyphomycosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Exophiala* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Male
  • Phaeohyphomycosis* / diagnosis
  • Phaeohyphomycosis* / drug therapy
  • Phaeohyphomycosis* / microbiology
  • Skin

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents