J Mycol Infect.  2023 Dec;28(4):117-120. 10.17966/JMI.2023.28.4.117.

Plaque Patterned Cutaneous Candidiasis on the Lower Legs: A Case Report

• Sung JY
• Lim JW
• Kim CY
• Cho YA
• Lee YW
• Choe YB
• Yu DA

• KMID: 2551442
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17966/JMI.2023.28.4.117

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder that causes chronic hyperglycemia, leading to immune dysfunction and increased vulnerability to infections. As a result, patients with DM are more susceptible to fungal infections, including Candida species, due of their weakened immune systems. Cutaneous candidiasis is a fungal infection that appears as a red plaque with peripheral satellite papules and pustules around the periphery. Patients with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis may have erythematous plaques and thickened skin thickening with an overlying scale, which can mimic plaque psoriasis. Therefore, fungal infections should be considered when assessing chronic refractory psoriasiform lesions that are difficult to treat, especially in patients with DM. This report describes a case of cutaneous candidiasis in both lower legs, which was initially misdiagnosed as psoriasis.

Keyword

Cutaneous candidiasis; Diabetes mellitus; Psoriasiform candidiasis