A case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Cladosporium cladosporioides

Objective To report the first case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Cla- dospotium cladosporioides in China.Methods The patient was a 49-year-old female,presented with a tu- morous mass on the right hip for about two years.New lesions and fibrous scar developed simultaneously. Physical examination revealed relatively well-demarcated lesions of various morphology,including necrotic cysts,sinuses and breakage on the skin surface with a large amount of effusion;all were markedly tender. Smear and fungal culture were carried out on specimens collected from the patient's lesions.Histopathologi- cal features were reproduced through an animal pathogenicity study in a murine model.Results Fungal culture of the isolate at 25℃resulted in olivaceous green to olivaceous brown colonies with velvety surface; the color of the undersurface was olivaceous black.Microscopic examination showed branched chains of conidium developing at the terminal and lateral sides of conidiophores,which were oval or citriform with smooth walls.The isolate was identified as Cladosporium cladosporioides based on its biological characteris- tics.Conclusion This is the first case report of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Cladosporium cladosporioides in China.