Which organism is associated with chromoblastomycosis and was identified as pedrosoi in this case?

Which organism is associated with chromoblastomycosis and was identified as pedrosoi in this case?

• A. Fonsecaea pedrosoi
• B. Cladosporium herbarum
• C. Exophiala dermatitidis
• D. Aspergillus fumigatus

Answer: (A)

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic subcutaneous fungal infection caused by pigmented (dematiaceous) fungi, with Fonsecaea pedrosoi being the classic etiologic agent. In tissue, the infection is recognized by characteristic sclerotic bodies, often called “copper penny” bodies, which type the diagnosis and point to pigmented fungi like Fonsecaea pedrosoi. This organism is identified as pedrosoi in many case descriptions, reflecting its historic naming and association with the disease. The other organisms listed are not the typical culprits for chromoblastomycosis: Cladosporium herbarum can cause environmental exposures and non-cutaneous infections but is not the hallmark agent of chromoblastomycosis; Exophiala dermatitidis can cause phaeohyphomycosis, not the classic copper-penny sclerotic bodies; Aspergillus fumigatus is associated with aspergillosis rather than chromoblastomycosis. So Fonsecaea pedrosoi is the best answer because it is the prototypical cause of chromoblastomycosis and is the organism identified as pedrosoi in this case.

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic subcutaneous fungal infection caused by pigmented (dematiaceous) fungi, with Fonsecaea pedrosoi being the classic etiologic agent. In tissue, the infection is recognized by characteristic sclerotic bodies, often called “copper penny” bodies, which type the diagnosis and point to pigmented fungi like Fonsecaea pedrosoi. This organism is identified as pedrosoi in many case descriptions, reflecting its historic naming and association with the disease. The other organisms listed are not the typical culprits for chromoblastomycosis: Cladosporium herbarum can cause environmental exposures and non-cutaneous infections but is not the hallmark agent of chromoblastomycosis; Exophiala dermatitidis can cause phaeohyphomycosis, not the classic copper-penny sclerotic bodies; Aspergillus fumigatus is associated with aspergillosis rather than chromoblastomycosis. So Fonsecaea pedrosoi is the best answer because it is the prototypical cause of chromoblastomycosis and is the organism identified as pedrosoi in this case.