Answer to February 2020 Photo Quiz

Answer: Microsphaeropsis arundinis and Phialophora verrucosa. The sample taken from the wrist was identified as Microsphaeropsis arundinis by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions (GenBank accession no. MH236168). The sample taken from the forearm grew Phialophora verrucosa, identified by microscopic morphology and confirmed by ITS sequencing (GenBank accession no. MH229984). The patient was diagnosed with phaeohyphomycosis due to M. arundinis and P. verrucosa. The distinction of phaeohyphomycosis from chromoblastomycosis was made due to the lack of multiseptate sclerotic bodies on tissue samples, and pigmented conidia in the chain were noted by Fontana-Masson stain on the specimen from the forearm (see Fig. 1D in the photo quiz). Both M. arundinis and P. verrucosa might be inoculated from soil into abrasions in the skin and showed low MICs for itraconazole (0.12 and 0.25 μg/ml, respectively), which were determined by the broth microdilution method. The patient was treated with itraconazole followed by electrodessication and curettage of both lesions.

M. arundinis is an anamorphic fungus within the class Coelomycetes. This fungus has recently been recognized as an emerging pathogen in immunosuppressed individuals. Seven cases have been reported in Australia, two in Japan, and one in the United States (1). All reported cases have been skin and soft tissue infections. M. arundinis is ubiquitous in soil and freshwater and shows optimal growth at 28°C. Hyphae are septate, pigmented, and irregularly shaped with swollen segments (see Fig. 1A and B in the photo quiz). Itraconazole is typically effective against this infection, though the optimal duration is not clear (2).

P. verrucosa is a pathogenic, dematiaceous fungus that has been associated with chromoblastomycosis and phaeohyphomycosis as well as fungemia, prosthetic valve endocarditis, and endophthalmitis (2–5). This fungus is ubiquitous in soil, plant debris, wasp nests, and rotting wood, and cutaneous or subcutaneous infection typically occurs after direct inoculation from a wound, which may go unnoticed. P. verrucosa grows well over a range of temperatures, 21 to 37°C. Flask-shaped phialide with a distinct collarette (a remnant of a cell wall present at the tip of a phialide) is used to differentiate this organism from others (see Fig. 1C in the photo quiz). Infections can occur in immunocompromised or immunocompetent individuals. Successful treatment with itraconazole and terbinafine has been reported. The optimal treatment duration is not clear and varies from three to several months, depending on clinical presentation. Excision of lesions is performed when possible (2, 6). Other azoles and amphotericin B have been shown to be active in vitro (7).

This is the second reported case of deep cutaneous infection with both Microsphaeropsis arundinis and Phialophora verrucosa in an immunosuppressed patient.

Data availability.

Sequences were deposited in GenBank under accession numbers MH236168 and MH229984.

See https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.01649-18 in this issue for photo quiz case presentation.