Eumycetoma (Fungal Mycetoma) Clinical Presentation

  • Author: George Turiansky, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 30, 2012
 

History

Many cases are painless, although painful lesions may prompt the individual to seek medical attention. Gradual enlargement of the affected site and difficulties with ambulation may also prompt affected persons to seek care. Predisposing factors include the following:

  • History of trauma
  • Walking barefoot
  • Agricultural work
  • Poor personal hygiene
  • Poor nutrition
  • Wounds or multiple infections
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Physical

The foot is the most common site of infection; 70% of all mycetomas affect the foot. Other reported sites of involvement include the following:

  • Upper extremities
  • Trunk
  • Buttocks
  • Eyelids
  • Lacrimal glands
  • Paranasal sinuses
  • Mandible
  • Scalp
  • Neck
  • Perineum
  • Testes

The disease is initially limited to the skin and subcutaneous tissue but may eventually spread through the fascial planes to contiguous structures, as follows:

  • Muscle
  • Bone
  • Blood and lymphatic vessels
  • Nerves

Rarely, the disease may spread to the regional lymph nodes or viscera.

Eumycetoma is characterized by the clinical triad of tumefaction, draining sinuses, and granules (see images below).

Eumycetoma of the leg with tumefaction, deformity,Eumycetoma of the leg with tumefaction, deformity, and multiple sinus tracts in a patient from Costa Rica. Courtesy of Mervyn L. Elgart, MD, Washington, DC. Eumycetoma of the foot with tumefaction, deformityEumycetoma of the foot with tumefaction, deformity, and multiple sinus tracts. Courtesy of Mervyn L. Elgart, MD, Washington, DC.

The disease usually begins as a painless swelling or thickening of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. As the disease gradually progresses over months or years, the initial lesion enlarges and eventually becomes tumorous. The overlying skin may be smooth, dyspigmented, or shiny.

Abscesses and sinus tracts develop over time and may contain a serosanguineous or seropurulent discharge, which may contain white-to-yellow or black granules. Granules are firm 0.2- to 5-mm aggregates of organized vegetative, septate hyphae, which often are embedded in a matrix cement substance. These granules are usually macroscopic and are observed in the lesional tissue and in sinus tracts. The color of the dark grains is thought to be due to melanin, host protein, and dark debris. Regional lymphadenitis secondary to bacterial superinfection of the lesion may be present.

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Causes

Agents that cause eumycetoma are primarily saprophytic microorganisms that are found in the soil and on plant matter. Healthy persons become inoculated with these agents as a result of the traumatic implantation of thorns, splinters, and other plant matter.

Pseudallescheria boydii is the most common etiologic agent of eumycetoma in the United States. Madurella mycetomatis accounts for most cases worldwide. Madurella grisea is a common etiologic agent in South America. Leptosphaeria senegalensis and Leptosphaeria tompkinsii are common causes of eumycetoma in West Africa. In general, the geographic distribution of the various mycetoma agents is related to the amount of rainfall and other climatic conditions. Each geographic region has a different list of most common agents.

Fungi with a white-to-yellow granule that cause eumycetoma include the following:

  • Acremonium species
  • Aspergillus nidulans
  • Aspergillus flavus
  • Cylindrocarpon cyanescens
  • Cylindrocarpon destructans
  • Fusarium species
  • Neotestudina rosatii
  • Polycytella hominis
  • P boydii

Fungi with a black granule that cause eumycetoma include the following:

  • Cladophialophora bantiana[5]
  • Corynespora cassicola
  • Curvularia species
  • Exophiala jeanselmei
  • L senegalensis
  • L tompkinsii
  • M grisea
  • M mycetomatis
  • Phialophora verrucosa[6]
  • Plenodomus auramii
  • Pyrenochaeta mackinnonii
  • Pyrenochaeta romeroi[7]
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

George Turiansky, MD  Professor, Department of Dermatology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Deputy Director, National Capital Consortium, Graduate Medical Education, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

George Turiansky, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Association of Military Dermatologists, Association of Professors of Dermatology, and Ukrainian Medical Association of North America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Daniel J Hogan, MD  Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine (Dermatology), Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine; Investigator, Hill Top Research, Florida Research Center

Daniel J Hogan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Contact Dermatitis Society, and Canadian Dermatology Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael J Wells, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Paul Krusinski, MD  Director of Dermatology, Fletcher Allen Health Care; Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine

Paul Krusinski, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Eumycetoma of the leg with tumefaction, deformity, and multiple sinus tracts in a patient from Costa Rica. Courtesy of Mervyn L. Elgart, MD, Washington, DC.
Eumycetoma of the foot with tumefaction, deformity, and multiple sinus tracts. Courtesy of Mervyn L. Elgart, MD, Washington, DC.
 
 
 
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