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Subcutaneous Phaeohyphomycosis Caused by Exophiala oligosperma in an Immunocompetent Host: Case Report and Literature Review

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Abstract

We report a case of subcutaneous infection caused by Exophiala oligosperma. Erythematous ulcerated plaque with exudate was major clinical features. Histopathological examination showed yeast-like cells and fungal hyphae. Mycological and molecular identification revealed E. oligosperma as etiologic agent. Local debridement and oral itraconazole were effective. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of phaeohyphomycosis caused by E. oligosperma in mainland China. This report highlights the potential role of E. oligosperma as an emerging cause of infection in immunocompetent patients.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr Guixia Lv and Dr Yongnian Shen for technical support in molecular identification of the strain. They thank Dr Fei Wu and Dr Jia Chen for the help with histopathology. They also thank Dr Yichen Tang for the referral of this case.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mycology, Shanghai Dermatology Hospital, 1278 Baode Road, Shanghai, 200443, People’s Republic of China

    Hong Yang, Qing Cai, Zhiqin Gao & Lianjuan Yang

  2. Department of Mycology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China

    Guixia Lv, Yongnian Shen & Weida Liu

Authors
  1. Hong Yang
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  2. Qing Cai
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  3. Zhiqin Gao
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  4. Guixia Lv
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  5. Yongnian Shen
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  6. Weida Liu
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  7. Lianjuan Yang
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Correspondence to Lianjuan Yang.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Handling Editor: Yuping Ran.

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Yang, H., Cai, Q., Gao, Z. et al. Subcutaneous Phaeohyphomycosis Caused by Exophiala oligosperma in an Immunocompetent Host: Case Report and Literature Review. Mycopathologia 183, 815–820 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-018-0279-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-018-0279-0

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