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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).

Chromoblastomycosis pathology

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Figure 1

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Figure 2

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figure 3

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Figure 4

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Figure 5

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Figure 6

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.