Chromoblastomycosis – Review Article

Chromoblastomycosis is a subcutaneous fungal infection. It is caused by the traumatic inoculation of the skin with pigmented saprophytic moulds. There has been frequent reporting of cases of chromoblastomycosis in recent times. This could be attributed to advances in mycology laboratory diagnostic methods. This has resulted in identification of a large number of species belonging to various genera. There has also been a rise in the immunodeficiency status in the community with more patients being diagnosed with conditions like diabetes mellitus which predisposes them to such rare infections. Also the modern medical therapies are increasing the load of immunodeficient patients which is making a large number of patients susceptible to such rare infections. Although infection is rarely fatal, it is characteristically chronic with a varied clinical presentation. To be diagnosed it requires strong suspicion from the clinician and vigilant observation of the microbiologist. There are several treatment modalities, which are often combined and include long courses of antifungals, surgical excision and destructive physical therapies. The availability of a large number of antifungal agents to treat these infections is rewarding to diagnose these infections. Therefore the clinical, microbiological and therapeutic aspects of Chromoblastomycosis are being reviewed here. We are also discussing the case report of a rare presentation of chromoblastomycosis as phagedenic ulcer.