Cutaneous Ulcer Due to Candida Infection

Kim, Hyoung Seob; Cho, Hang Rae; Kim, Nack In

Abstract

Cutaneous ulcers due to candida infection are very rare condition, occurring almost in immunocompromised host or occurring as cutaneous manifestation of systemic candidal infection. A 52-year-old woman presented with cutaneous ulcer on dorsum of left hand which had lasted for about 15 days. Bacterial culture showed nonpathogenic organism, Enterobacter cloacae. Mycologic studies including KOH mount and fungus culture were positive for pseudohyphae and colonies of Candida species. A biopsy specimen from the center of ulcer revealed numerous spores and fungal hyphae in the upper dermis and necrotic epidermis. Bacterial culture and fungus culture of patient's serum and urine were negative. Initial treatment with antibiotics had no effectiveness for 2 weeks. After then we treated with antifungal drug, itraconazole 100mg/day. After 6 weeks of antifungal therapy, the skin lesion was much improved. We report this case, because it showed cutaneous ulcer due to candida infection but had neither systemic candidal infection nor clinical sign of immunosuppression.