Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by a black pigmented mould (Rhytidhysteron species) in rural north-western New South Wales, Australia.

Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by a black pigmented mould (Rhytidhysteron species) in rural north-western New South Wales, Australia. Rural Remote Health. 2020 Jul;20(3):5903 Authors: Fraser J Abstract Invasive fungal infections are becoming increasingly more prevalent in clinical practice. This corresponds with more patients living with immunosuppression and improved techniques to identify fungal infections. Subcutaneous fungal masses can often masquerade and imitate common dermatological lesions such as cysts. Querying a fungal aetiology of a mass is important, as fungal elements can be missed on histological examination, and special stains may be needed to identify spores and hyphae to make the diagnosis. Skin trauma with inoculation of fungal elements contained in soil and vegetable matter is the most common source of subcutaneous fungal masses. While traditionally considered a disease of the tropics, subcutaneous fungal masses can present worldwide in both immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients. This case study describes a subcutaneous knee mass in a 53-year-old immunosuppressed farmer in Australia. A subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis was diagnosed with a black pigmented mould, Rhytidhysteron species. A latent period of 12 years was observed between traumatic inoculation with farm soil and wheat dust in north-western New South Wales and development of the knee mass. Rhytidhysteron is considered a disease of the tropic...
Source: Rural and Remote Health - Category: Rural Health Tags: Rural Remote Health Source Type: research