Chromomycosis |
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Authors: | NARDO ZAIAS |
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Affiliation: | Miami Beach, Florida 33139, U.S.A. |
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Abstract: | Chromomycosis is a general term to express human and animal fungal infections caused by members of the family Dematiaceae (dark brown or black fungi). Unique host-parasite relationships produce a wide spectrum of clinical disease, sometimes difficult to treat. Four major categories are recognized: 1) Superficial Chromomycosis – A pigmented macule produced by fungus inhabiting exclusively the dead horny layer (stratum corneum) of the skin, as in tinea nigra palmaris. 2) Chromoblastomycosis – A verrucous, slow growing nodule or plaque produced by fungi, characteristically and exclusively present as large brown spherical bodies (chromo bodies) in the dermis. 3) Chromohyphomycosis – A dermal nodule produced by fungi displaying typical brown septated hyphae. Rarely, the fungus may appear as a yeast. It may occur in deeper tissues, i.e., muscles, bone and brain or it may also involve the eye ( Keratomycosis ). 4) Chromomycetoma – Tumefaction, draining sinuses and presence of colony of organisms as "grain". Dematiaceae are found more frequently in veterinary than in human medicine. |
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