Two cases of tinea pedis caused by Scytalidium hyalinum

Two cases of tinea pedis due to Scytalidium hyalinum, the first to be descr ibed in Italy, are reported. The patients were a 41-year-old woman and a 35 -year-old man who had spent periods in the Caribbean. The clinical manifest ations were indistinguishable from those caused by dermatophytes. In the wo man they were striking with 'moccasin foot' type lesions, whereas in the ma n they were less evident, with minor plantar desquamation and interdigital maceration. Diagnosis was based on direct mycological microscopic examinati on and culture. Clinical and mycological remission were obtained with syste mic itraconazole therapy. These cases are reported because infections cause d by Scytalidium hyalinum are rare in Europe and their clinical and mycolog ical diagnosis, as well as therapy, may be problematic. (C) 1999 Elsevier S cience B.V. All rights reserved.