Eumycetoma by Madurella mycetomatis with 30 years of evolution: therapeutic challenge^*

Eumicetoma por Madurella mycetomatis com 30 anos de evolução: desafio terapêutico

Abstracts

We report a case of eumycetoma by Madurella mycetomatis on the buttocks and thighs in an adult immunocompetent patient, diagnosed after 30 years of clinical development. He was treated over four years with fluconazol and itraconazol associated with five times surgical excisions of subcutaneous nodules. At the eighth year of follow-up, one nodule recurred on the right infragluteal region, which was excised surgically and has remained asymptomatic ever since.

Fluconazole; Itraconazole; Mycetoma

Relatamos o caso de um paciente adulto, imunocompetente, com eumicetoma por Madurella mycetomatis, localizado nos glúteos e coxas, diagnosticado após 30 anos de evolução clínica. Tratado no decorrer de quatro anos com fluconazol e itraconazol, associado a cinco tempos cirúrgicos de exérese dos nódulos subcutâneos. No oitavo ano de follow-up ocorreu recidiva de apenas um nódulo na região infraglútea, o qual foi excisado cirurgicamente, mantendo-se assintomático desde então.

Fluconazol; Itraconazol; Micetoma

INTRODUCTION

Mycetoma is a chronic subcutaneous infection, caused by the traumatic inoculation of ground saprophytes fungi (eumycetoma) and filamentous bacteria (actinomycetoma).^1-9 It predominates in tropical and subtropical regions, mainly in rural areas, affecting individuals with a habit of walking and working without protection.^1,3 The most frequent clinical characteristics are increase in volume of the affected area, nodules, fistulas and exudation with or without grains. In more than 70% of cases it is situated in the feet, hands, arms, legs and back.^1,4 By local invasion it reaches the fascia, muscles, articulations and bones.^3,4,5 Systemic signs and symptoms are uncommon and when present are the result of the involvement of adjacent organs such as the lungs and the brain.⁷ Although causative agents vary according to geographical location, actinomycetomas predominate worldwide.^1,6 In eumycetoma cases, Madurella myce tomatis is one of the main agents.^1-9 In Brazil, where it is a neglected disease without compulsory notification, the incidence and prevalence of mycetomas are unknown. Retrospective studies by Castro and Piquero-Casals described a ratio of 3:1 between actinomycetoma and eumycetoma, with the majority of cases recorded in the North-east region.⁶

CASE REPORT

We describe a case of a white 49-year-old male patient, from the state of Ceará, Brazil, who presented asymptomatic cutaneous lesions, in the thighs and gluteus, for 30 years, with progressive swelling of the affected areas. The patient reported the onset of the lesion after a local trauma, caused by sliding down a waterfall of his home state.

Physical examination revealed multiple erythematous nodules, both palpable and visible, associated with fistulas with exudation of serosanguineous material and black grains, located on the anterior, lateral and posterior face of the proximal third of the thigh and in the infragluteal regions (Figure 1). Edema and local erythema were present, with no palpable lymphadenopathy. The patient was in good general condition, with no systemic signs or symptoms.

FIGURE 1
Eumycetoma. Nodules and fistules, with exudation and elimination of the grain in the anterior thigh

The histopathological study of one of the lesions, with hematoxylin-eosin and Grocott's methenamine silver stains, showed amorphous brownish grain-like material with eosinophilic edges and septal hyphae at its core (Figure 2). The culture of the grain, in Sabouraud Agar, grew Madurella myce tomatis. Radiological evaluation by computed tomography showed a considerable amount of nodular thickening at the skin and subcutaneous levels, with unaffected muscle and bone.

FIGURE 2
Histopathology: Grocott (x400) - Slender, septate and branching hyphaes

The patient was treated with fluconazole 200mg/day and itraconazole 200mg/day for four years, undergoing five semiannual surgical procedures aimed at excision of the subcutaneous nodules. Medical discharge was achieved two months after the last surgery, with no clinical or radiological evidence of residual lesions.

Eighth year of follow-up, a new asymptomatic, well delimited skin-colored nodule, of approximately 2 cm in seize, without a fis- tula was observed in the right infragluteal region (Figure 3). After excisional biopsy of the lesion, with observation of black grains and Madurella mycetomatis growth in culture, the diagnosis of eumycetoma was confirmed (Figure 4). After new image tests showed no remaining lesions, the patient was kept under follow-up, without antifungal chemotherapy.

FIGURE 3
Recurrence in the right buttock. Presence of scars on the buttocks and thighs after surgeries for grains excision

FIGURE 4
Recurrent lesion after excision with black grains inside

DISCUSSION

Treatment of eumycetomas with systemic antifungals remains challenging and prolonged. In daily practice, itraconazole (200-400mg/day) and ketoconazole (400mg/day) are the main antifungals used in the treatment of eumycetomas, with average duration of between 12 and 24 months. In in vitro tests of antifungal sensitivity, Madurella sp. showed susceptibility to voriconazole and posaconazole, which are, however, still not easily available in the public health service.^2,3 Terbinafine may be used, although the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is above 1.7µg/ml in in vitro sensitivity tests to Madurella sp.² Intravenous or intralesional Amphotericin B (total of 2-4g) is reserved for disseminated cases or those which do not respond to initial treatment. Corticosteroids with antifungics may be used to reduce the inflammatory process.¹ In the case described, itraconazole and fluconazole were chosen owing to therapeutic success with other subcutaneous mycoses.^8-9 Currently, the best treatment for mycetoma is the use of antifungals along with surgery. Antifungals must be applied before and after excision of the lesions, as they promote a regression of the infectious process and of the edema, partial or total closing of the fistulas and healing up of the lesions.^2,4,5 Surgery is recommended in localized cases, with the aim of complete removal of the lesions and reduction of the local fibrosis, which makes penetration and action of chemotherapy in the lesions difficult. As reported in this case, often several surgical stages are necessary until the infection is successfully eliminated. During surgery, the subcutaneous nodules must be removed intact, to avoid the spreading of the grains to the adjacent tissue. When the bone is involved, bone curettage may be recommended or even total amputation of the infected limb.^4,5 Surgical wounds may be left open to heal by secondary intention or closed up primarily. Cure criteria takes into consideration the disappearance of the lesions in clinical and image testing, and there is no consensus as to how long patients must be kept under follow-up.⁵ In eumycetomas, the difficulty of treatment, the importance of surgical complementation and the possibility of relapse should be noted.

REFERENCES

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• * Work performed at the Dermatology Laboratory, Evandro Chagas Clinical Research Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IPEC-FIOCRUZ) - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Conflict of interest: None
• Financial funding: None

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  Nov-Dec 2013

History

• Received
  17 Sept 2012
• Accepted
  13 Nov 2012