We report a case of a patient with lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis in the right upper limb. The fungus was identified as Sporothrix schenckii senso stricto by calmodulin gene sequencing. The initial treatment was itraconazole (200 mg/day), but in vitro antifungal susceptibility demonstrated high resistant to this and another six antifungals, with exception to terbinafine. The lesions did not regress with itraconazole treatment. Thus, 500 mg/day of terbinafine was prescribed and clinical cure was obtained after four months

We report a case of phaeohyphomycosis that affected the leg of a 45-year-old Brazilian man, car mechanic and renal transplanted. The direct mycological examination evidenced dematiaceous septated hyphae. The pathogenic fungal species was identified as Exophiala xenobiotica. Antifungal activity in vitro revealed terbinafine as the best antifungal. For treatment, it was chosen surgical excision of the entire lesion and used systemic itraconazole. Phaeohyphomycosis caused by Exophiala xenobiotica is extremely rare and is closely related to transplant patients.

Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a chronic cutaneous and subcutaneous infection caused by melanized fungal species. We quantified the extractable melanin of 77 strains of CBM agents distributed within five genera. Moreover, resistance to oxidative stress was evaluated in strains exposed or not to the melanin inhibitor tricyclazole. The median percentage of melanin mass extracted from dry fungal mass varied from 0.69 (Rhinocladiella similis) to 3.81 (Phialophora americana). Inhibition of melanin synthesis decreased survival rates to hydrogen peroxide. Together, these data highlight the importance of melanin in CBM agents.

No abstract

Summary Background Sporotrichosis is a group of zoonotic subcutaneous mycoses, found worldwide and caused by fungi belonging to the genus Sporothrix. Protozoans of the genus Acanthamoeba are widely distributed, and some species may be pathogenic and/or opportunistic. These organisms coexist in the same environment and may interact. Objectives This study determined the profile of interactions of S schenckii sensu stricto and S brasiliensis with A castellanii, using an in vitro co‐culture model to evaluate the intrinsic characteristics of the two Sporothrix species and A castellanii. Methods We compared the rate of phagocytosis of S schenckii sensu stricto and S brasiliensis by A castellanii; the viability of S schenckii sensu stricto and S brasiliensis after contact with A castellanii; the viability of the amoeba after contact with a fungal species; and the influence of S schenckii sensu stricto and S brasiliensis on the encystment process of A castellanii. Results The analyses indicated that A castellanii phagocytised both S schenckii and S brasiliensis, with significantly more S schenckii than S brasiliensis in the first two hours of contact. Our results showed a significant increase in conidia and hyphae count after 72 hours of co‐culture of A castellanii with S brasiliensis, and the amoebae lysed after they ingested the fungi, indicating that the fungi probably used the amoebae as a source of nutrition. Conclusions Our results were obtained in vitro and these organisms may not behave similarly in vivo; in vivo studies of co‐infections are necessary in order to gain a thorough understanding of this relationship.