A study on chromoblastomycosis in a tertiary care hospital of eastern Odisha

Abstract

Background: Chromoblastomycosis, a chronic subcutaneous mycosis, is caused by several dematiaceous Fungi, the most common being Fonsecaea pedrosoi. A majority of cases from India have been reported from the sub-Himalayan belt and South India. Aim: The aim was to study chromoblastomycosis in the eastern coastal parts of Odisha including demographic and clinicomycological profile. Materials and Methods: This report is a retrospective hospital record-based analysis of all cases of chromoblastomycosis who presented to the dermatology outpatient department of our tertiary care hospital during the past 5 years. Results: A total of 11 cases of chromoblastomycosis were diagnosed during the above period. The disease was seen predominantly in middle-aged male farmers from a rural background. The lower extremity (72.7%) was more commonly affected. Verrucous and nodular lesions are the common clinical presentation. Sclerotic bodies are demonstrated in potassium hydroxide mount and histopathological section in 81.8 and 90.9% cases, respectively. The causative fungus was isolated in 90.9% of cases with F. pedrosoi, as the most common species. Conclusion: Chromoblastomycosis mostly affects male agriculturalists, especially from a rural background. Early etiological diagnosis helps in effective management of the condition.