Open AccessRelationship Between Acanthosis Nigricans and Fungal Infection: Clinical and Histopathological findings
Author(s) -
Lim Joon-Soo,
Eun Hye Hong,
Eun-Joo Park,
Kwang-Joong Kim,
KwangHo Kim
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
korean journal of medical mycology/daehan'yi jin'gyun haghoeji
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.101
H-Index - 9
eISSN - 2465-8278
pISSN - 1226-4709
DOI - 10.17966/jmi.2021.26.1.1
Subject(s) - intertriginous , acanthosis nigricans , dermatology , papillomatosis , medicine , acanthosis , biopsy , skin biopsy , pathological , pathology , hyperkeratosis , disease , insulin resistance , obesity
Background: Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a skin condition that presents clinically with hyperpigmented, hyperkeratotic, and velvety skin changes, especially in the intertriginous areas. The intertriginous areas are also susceptible to superficial cutaneous fungal infections. The potential relationship between AN and cutaneous fungal infection has not been investigated.Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship, if any, between AN and fungal infection, both clinically and pathologically.Methods: A retrospective review was performed using electronic medical records and histology of biopsy slides obtained from 29 patients who were diagnosed with AN by two dermatopathologists. Comparison was made between the clinical and pathological findings of AN with fungal infection (ANFI+) and AN without fungal infection(ANFI-).Results: Among the 29 patients with AN, fungal spores were detected on the biopsy slides of 18 patients (62.1%) and appeared in the epidermal furrow more often than in the epidermal ridge. No significant clinical difference was found between the ANFI+ and ANFI- groups; however, in the ANFI+ group, lesions were more prevalent in the neck area (p = 0.048). In addition, the ANFI+ biopsy slides revealed more papillomatosis than ANFI- biopsy slides (p = 0.006).Conclusion: Fungal infection tends to appear in combination with AN when more severe papillomatosis is also present.