Fusarium falciforme eumycetoma: a diagnostic challenge of a neglected tropical disease
Eumycetoma, a subcutaneous infection caused by various fungi with pathognomonic discharging grain, is rarely reported in Malaysia. This case concerns a eumycetoma infection in an immunocompetent man who presented with progressive left foot swelling complicated with pustules, sinuses and pale gr...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMJ Publishing Group
2024
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| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113956/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113956/1/DOC-20240307-WA0001..pdf |
| Summary: | Eumycetoma, a subcutaneous infection caused by
various fungi with pathognomonic discharging grain,
is rarely reported in Malaysia. This case concerns a
eumycetoma infection in an immunocompetent man
who presented with progressive left foot swelling
complicated with pustules, sinuses and pale grain
discharge for the past year after recurrent thorn pricks.
Histological findings of the grain and tissue showed
foci of septate fungal hyphae. Tissue culture yielded
no growth. Amplification and sequencing of the rDNA
internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), ITS4 and large
subunit regions of the tissue identified the causative
agent as Fusarium falciforme, highlighting the role of
molecular diagnostic methods in identifying fungal
species in eumycetoma. The patient was treated with
surgical excision and oral itraconazole with excellent
improvement. However, he presented again with
recurrence after defaulting therapy. F. falciforme has
been implicated in causing diseases in crops and sea
turtles. Therefore, the One Health approach should be
adopted to manage this emerging species |
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