ECTHYMA GANGRENOSUM-LIKE LESIONS - A SIGN OF DISSEMINATED FUSARIUM INFECTION IN THE NEUTROPENIC PATIENT

Fusarium is a saprophytic fungus of soil causing disease in plants and animals. In the immunocompetent patient, Fusarium is non-invasive, co lonizing wounds, ulcers or nails. In the immunocompromised host, howev er, especially in those whose neutrophil and macrophage function is de ficient, it can cause devastating systemic infections. Skin lesions ar e an early feature of the disseminated disease. Rapid diagnosis and tr eatment are mandatory in order to give the patient a better chance of survival, reported mortality rates being as high as 90%..