Cutaneous manifestations of systemic mycoses

Abstract

The systemic mycoses are increasing in importance as opportunistic infections. Cutaneous lesions resulting from systemic mycoses may first alert clinicians to the presence of a life-threatening disorder, or even the presence of an unsuspected immunodeficiency state. Skin involvement is generally uncommon in disseminated aspergillosis, zygomycosis but is more common in systemic candidiasis (candidemia) and cryptococcosis. The blanket terms, hyalohyphomycosis and phaeohyphomycosis, cover the infections caused by diverse fungal opportunists. A variety of manifestations of skin lesions of the systemic mycoses are reviewed. These specific and/or non-specific lesions require early recognition, diagnosis, and aggressive antifungal treatment.