Phaeohyphomycosis and onychomycosis due to Chaetomium spp., including the first report of Chaetomium brasiliense infection
Abstract
Chaetomium species have been rarely described as aetiological agents of invasive and dermatomycotic infections in humans.In the first report, we describe a new aetiological agent, Chaetomium brasiliense, which was implicated in a case of otitis externa in a patient with spinocellular carcinoma basis cranii. The fungal aetiology was confirmed by repeated positive culture and histologic studies.
The second case involved onychomycosis with strikingly brown nail dyscoloration due to Chaetomium globosum in an otherwise healthy patient. The determination of both species was supported by sequencing of rDNA regions.
In vitro antifungal susceptibility tests demonstrated that both isolates were suceptible to terbinafine and azole derivatives except fluconazole.