A Rare Case Report of Subcutaneous Mycoses by Rhytidhysteron Rufulum

Phaeohyphomycosis is a term to describe cutaneous and systemic or disseminated mycoses caused by a variety of dematiaceous fungi. Rhytidhysteron rufulum is a poorly known, common, pantropical phaeoid fungal species, and are rare human pathogens. Here, we describe a clinical case report of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis; to the best of our knowledge, this is the fourth report of infection with the Rhytidhysteron rufulum. A 54-year-old male presented to medicine outpatient department with complaints of respiratory distress. The patient was diagnosed as a case of chronic bronchitis with acute exacerbation. On examination, a well-defined soft subcutaneous swelling was detected on anterior aspect of right leg. The molecular identification revealed its homology with Rhytidhysteron rufulum. The phaeohyphomycotic infections are increasingly reported globally. This case highlights the need of awareness and high degree of suspicion for fungal aetiology, so that an early and adequate treatment can be given in such cases..