Abstract

Background: Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis is an infection caused by melanized fungi and is increasingly reported among immunosuppressive patients. The most commonly cited etiologic agent is Exophiala jeanselmei, followed by Alternaria spp. We present a case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis in a 48-yearold woman, with a history of lepromatous leprosy, using corticosteroid in immunosuppressive doses due to a type 2 repetitive reaction leprosy outbreak.

Result and Discussion: The diagnosis was confirmed by fine-needle aspiration of the secretion, with subsequent direct mycological observations, culture and molecular analysis. The species agent was identified by culture and nucleotide sequences of ribosomal DNA as Exophiala dermatitidis.

Keywords: Dermatomycoses, leprosy, phaeohyphomycosis, Exophiala dermatitidis, mycological, DNA.