Endocrine Diseases

Purpuric Edematous Nodules and Plaques in an Immunosuppressed Older Man

“…Systemic involvement often includes the lungs, with possible involvement of the kidneys and central nervous system. 5,6 As in this case, results of blood cultures for Prototheca may initially show yeastlike organisms, which can confuse the clinical picture. 7 Thus, clinicians should keep Prototheca algaemia in the differential diagnosis even when blood cultures show "yeast."…”

“…Clinically, disseminated coccidiomycosis can appear on the skin as verrucous nodules, subcutaneous abscesses, or pink papules. 5 Cryptococcus neoformans is characterized by spherical cells with a thick polysaccharide capsule (2 to 15 microns). 2 Cryptococcosis typically begins as a lung infection and can disseminate to the central nervous system and skin, with skin lesions most commonly occur-ring on the head and neck.…”

“…Variable skin morphologies have been reported, with molluscum contagiosumlike lesions described classically in patients with HIV. 5 Aspergillus appears in tissue as slender hyphae with acute angle branching. 6 On the skin, disseminated aspergillosis typically presents with red papules and plaques with progressive necrosis attributed to Aspergillus within blood vessels.…”