An unusual presentation of sporotrichosis

Atypical Cutaneous Sporotrichosis in an Immunocompetent Adult: Response to Potassium Iodide

Cutaneous sporotrichosis, also known as “Rose Gardener's disease,” caused by dimorphic fungus Sporothrix schenkii, is usually characterized by indolent nodular or nodulo-ulcerative lesions arranged in a linear pattern. We report bizarre nonlinear presentation of Sporotrichosis, in an immunocompetent adult occurring after a visit to Amazon rain forest, speculating infection with more virulent species of Sporothrix. The diagnosis was reached with the help of periodic acid-Schiff positive yeast cells and cigar shaped bodies seen in skin biopsy along with the therapeutic response to potassium iodide.

Mycosis fungoides-like lesions in a patient with diffuse cutaneous sporotrichosis

BACKGROUND

Sporotrichosis is a subacute or chronic mycosis acquired by traumatic inoculation or inhalation of fungal conidia. It is caused by the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix, which causes different clinical presentations, being the cutaneous and lymphocutaneous variants being the most frequent. The disseminated cutaneous form is a rare presentation occurring in a minority of cases in Mexico.

CASE REPORT

We report an atypical case of disseminated sporotrichosis in an alcoholic and iatrogenically immunosuppressed patient, whose clinical lesions resembled tumoral-stage mycosis fungoides. Histological examination and culture revealed the presence of Sporothrix schenckii.

CONCLUSIONS

The patient was treated with itraconazole 200mg per day for 4 months with clinical resolution. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this type of clinical manifestation.