Deep dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton rubrum in immunocompromised patients

Abstract

In immunosuppressed patients, dermatophytosis can be more invasive, affecting the dermis and subcutaneous tissues. The authors describe the cases of two patients with kidney and heart transplanted, respectively, that developed a deep dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton rubrum, confirmed by culture and DNA sequencing. Both patients had concomitant onychomycosis, and both were treated with itraconazole for about two months, which was interrupted due to pharmacological interactions with the immunosuppressive drugs and switched to terbinafine, leading to clinical resolution within four months. Deep dermatophytosis should be considered when dealing with immunocompromised patients, especially when a superficial dermatophytosis is present. Oral treatment is necessary and terbinafine is a preferable option in solid organ transplant recipients because it has less pharmacological interactions.