Abstract

GOMEZ, Lina Vanessa  and  CARDONA-CASTRO, Nora. Phaeohyphomycosis, an emerging opportunistic fungal infection. CES Med. [online]. 2016, vol.30, n.1, pp.66-77. ISSN 0120-8705.

Phaeohyphomycosis comprises a group of infections caused by black pigmented or dematiaceous fungi. In the last two decades the frequency of reporting and diversity of etiologic agents involved have increased, especially in immunosuppressed individuals. The main genera involved include Alternaria, Bipolaris, Cladophialophora and Exophiala. These fungi are typically found in the soil and introduced through inhalation or trauma. The spectrum of associated diseases also has broadened and includes superficial and deep cutaneous infections, allergic disease, pneumonia, brain abscess and disseminated infection. The laboratory diagnosis is based on the morphological characteristics of the agents as observed by direct microscopic examination and histopathology. Treatment is often challenging and depends uponthe clinical syndrome. There are no standardized therapies but voriconazole, posaconazole and itraconazole demonstrate the most consistent in vitro activity against this group of fungi. The rarity of this mycosis justifies describe the clinical, epidemiological and diagnostic characteristics to aid in its immediate recognition and early treatment

Keywords : Phaeohyphomycosis; Dematiaceous; Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis; Opportunistic infection; Antifungal agents.

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