Beyond the superficial: Disseminated trichophyton rubrum infection in a kidney transplant recipient

Abstract

Superficial dermatophyte infections are common in the general population and are readily treated with topical antifungals. Deeper invasion is rare, and dissemination to visceral organs is extremely uncommon. We describe a 66-year-old renal transplant recipient who developed disseminated Trichophyton rubrum infection while undergoing treatment for acute humoral rejection. The infection presented as a facial rash with subsequent dissemination to the lungs and chest wall. All sites of infection improved with combination administration of oral posaconazole and terbinafine. In this work, we review the available literature regarding management of disseminated Trichophyton infection and discuss therapeutic interventions for disseminated dermatophytosis in immunosuppressed hosts.