Disseminated dermatophytosis in a patient with hereditary hemochromatosis and hepatic cirrhosis: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

The most common presentation of dermatophytosis is as a superficial infection characterized by a rash (tinea). In very rare cases, this infection can become invasive, involve deeper dermal structures, and even disseminate. We present a case of biopsy-proven, disseminated dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton rubrum in a patient with advanced cirrhosis. In addition, we provide a review of the literature.

Keywords:

• Dermatophytosis
• Trichophyton
• tinea
• invasive
• disseminated

Acknowledgments

For a period of the preparation of this case, the authors received salary support by NIAID grant T32 AI07387-14 to V.M. and NIAID grant K08 AI001701 to C.N.K.

We would like to express our sincerest appreciation for Dr. Franz von Lichtenberg and Evan A. Mojica for their contribution to this case report.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

This paper was first published online on Early Online on 9 October 2009.