Chromoblastomycosis pathology

Chromoblastomycosis (chromomycosis) is caused by a wide variety of pigmented common fungal species in soil and plant matter.

Histology chromoblastomycosis

Chromoblastomycosis organisms often cause a deep epidermal hyperplastic reaction that can mimic a scaly cell carcinoma (Figures 1, 2). There are often intraepidermal neutrophilic abscesses and transepidermal removal of inflammatory debris. There's a suppurative and granulomatous answer in the dermis (figure 3-6). Eosinophils can be numerous.The later stages often show an impressive dermal fibroplasia.

Within infiltrate, the organisms can be seen in hematoxylin-eosin sections (Figures 3-6, arrows). The organisms are brown, round, and have a thick wall. They are believed to represent an intermediate form between hyphae and yeast. Round bodies are sometimes seen fused as “septate bodies” (figure 4, arrows).

Special studies for chromoblastomycosis.

GMS and PAS stains can highlight fungal forms. the pigment it can be seen in hematoxylin-eosin sections. Mushrooms culture can be used to isolate the culprit organism.

Differential diagnosis chromoblastomycosis pathology

Phaeohyphomycosis: Pigmented hyphae are the hallmark of feeohyphomycosis rather than the round intermediate bodies of chromoblastomycosis.

Sporotrichosis, blastomycosis, coccidiodomicosis, mycobacteria infection - Special stains, culture or PCR It can be useful in difficult cases.

Squamous cell carcinoma, halogenoderma: the massive epidermal hyperplasia that often accompanies chromoblastomycosis can cause diagnostic confusion with these various other disease processes.