Case report: Cutaneous penicilliosis due to Penicillium chrysogenum

A case of cutaneous penicilliosis in a young man, without immunological com promise is reported. The lesions in the neck were characterized by two exud ative reddish-purple pruriginous and painless spots. Penicilliosis was diag nosed after serial laboratory studies based on the observation of hyphae by direct microscopic examination and histopathology. Cultures of the tissue obtained from the lesions, developed mould colonies with typical conidia of Penicillium chrysogenum, which was thermotolerant at 37 degrees C. The tre atment with itraconazole was successful, and 15 days after cessation of the rapy, no recurrence of infection was observed. The epidemiology of this typ e of mycosis is commented upon, as well as the rarity of infections produce d by Penicillium, even as opportunistic pathogens. The isolation of P. chry sogenum from skin lesions is exceptional.