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Sporotrichosis masquerading as pyoderma gangrenosum: case report and review of 19 cases of sporotrichosis
Author(s) -
Byrd DR,
ElAzhary RA,
Gibson LE,
Roberts GD
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of the european academy of dermatology and venereology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.655
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1468-3083
pISSN - 0926-9959
DOI - 10.1046/j.1468-3083.2001.00363.x
Subject(s) - sporotrichosis , pyoderma gangrenosum , medicine , sporothrix schenckii , biopsy , prednisone , azathioprine , pyoderma , dermatology , surgery , pathology , disease
We present the case of a 59‐year‐old woman who had large ulcerations on her right leg that were diagnosed initially as pyoderma gangrenosum and treated with three immunosuppressive agents (cyclosporin, prednisone and azathioprine) for 6 months. Results of a biopsy at 6 months showed numerous cigar‐shaped bodies consistent with Sporothrix schenckii ; identification was confirmed by tissue culture. A retrospective review was performed for all cases diagnosed as sporotrichosis from tissue culture or biopsy specimens at the Mayo Clinic. Nineteen cases were identified. The present case was the only one in which fungal organisms were visible on histological examination. The present case emphasizes the importance of making a definitive histological diagnosis in unusual ulcer cases or in suspected cases of pyoderma gangrenosum before the initiation of immunosuppressive therapy. The large number of cigar‐shaped bodies in the tissue is a rare finding in sporothrix infection and has been reported in only two cases previously.