ZYGOMYCOSIS IN A TATTOO, CAUSED BY SAKSENAEA VASIFORMIS

Subcutaneous zygomosis, caused by Saksenaea vasiformis developed In the forearm of a 25 year old male in the area of a tattoo performed seven years previously. The spectrum of disease caused by S. vasiformis can range from rapidly progressive disseminated infection in immunosuppressed persons, to disease of slow onset and limited spread where immune function is intact. Several species of zygomycetes can cause human disease. Tissue invasion is by broad mycelia which stain well with H & E. Species identification can only be achieved by inducing the isolate to produce sporangia, and in the case of S. vasiformis special techniques are necessary. Even so, long delays may be experienced before producing the typical long necked vase shaped sporangium of S. vasiformis. In the case described, treatment with amphotericin B was successful.