MYELOPEROXIDASE DEFICIENCY MANIFESTING AS PUSTULAR CANDIDAL DERMATITIS

Myeloperoxidase deficiency is the most common neutrophilic lysosomal e nzyme deficiency. Case studies indicate that individuals with myeloper oxidase deficiency are not susceptible to serious infection in the abs ence of coexisting conditions such as diabetes mellitus. We present a case of myeloperoxidase deficiency manifesting as disseminated pustula r candidal dermatilis in a nondiabetic male, Ceftriaxone therapy was a dministered to the patient for 8 days after he received a closed head injury and before the development of fever and pustular dermatitis. Ca ndida albicans was isolated from the skin lesion. His neutrophils demo nstrated a qualitative lack of myeloperoxidase. Patients who develop r apidly disseminated fungal dermatitis while they are receiving antimic robial therapy that is relatively limited in coverage should be evalua ted for myeloperoxidase deficiency.