Cutaneous alternariosis in a patient with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Ioannidou Despina J. , Stefanidou Maria P. , Maraki Sophia G. , Panayiotides John G. , Tosca Androniki D. 
Published: March 2003

A 78‐year‐old farmer presented with symptomless skin lesions for evaluation. Two years prior, he had developed idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and had been treated thereafter with oral prednisolone 20 mg/day and occasionally with colchicine 1 mg/day.

On examination, erythematoviolaceous, slightly infiltrated plaques, measuring approximately 5 × 9 cm, rubbery in consistency, intermingled with pustules, sometimes eroded, with distinctive borders, were noted on the dorsum of both hands and on the extensor surface of both forearms. The lesions had developed over a 20‐day period. The skin of these areas was atrophic or eroded with multiple ecchymoses ( Fig. 1).

Clinical aspect of the lesion on the left forearm and hand

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The abnormal laboratory findings included an elevated white blood cell count of 17,100/mm 3, with 79% neutrophils, 16% lymphocytes, and 5% monocytes, C‐reactive protein of 33.15 mg/dL (normal, <0.8 mg/dL), and immunoglobulin G of 598 mg/dL (normal, 701–1545 mg/dL). Other blood and urine tests performed were within normal limits. The diagnosis of IPF was reconfirmed through radiology, high‐resolution computed tomography, and spirometry, as well as bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis. Coexistence of presumptive pulmonary alternariosis was excluded.

Hematoxylin and eosin stained sections of the excised cutaneous specimen showed focal ulceration of the epidermis adjacent to a mainly intradermal abscess cavity. Within the latter, remnants of a partly destroyed hair follicle were seen amongst degenerating polymorphonuclear leukocytes, as well as many histiocytes and a few Langhans‐type multinucleated giant cells. Minute collections of polymorphonuclear leukocytes were seen in the adjacent epidermis. Periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) and Gomori's silver methenamine stains showed a multitude of broad branching fungal hyphae and large spores within the aforementioned cavity, both free and within the cytoplasm of giant cells ( Fig. 2). Immunohistochemistry was performed by means of the alkaline phosphatase anti‐alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) method. Sections showed that the infiltrate consisted of an almost equal number of B and T lymphocytes, whereas histiocytes and the few giant cells were labeled with anti‐CD68 antibodies.

Gomori's silver methenamine stain shows a multitude of broad branching septate hyphae and large round spores of the epidermis adjacent to an intradermal abscess cavity (magnification, ×250)

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Skin smears and biopsy specimens taken twice from all lesions were used for mycologic examination. Wet mounts revealed numerous, brownish, septate hyphae and ovoid  Skin smears and biopsy specimens taken twice from all lesions were used for mycologic examination. Wet mounts revealed numerous, brownish, septate hyphae and ovoid structures. Biopsy material was plated on Sabourand's dextrose agar with cloramphenicol (0.05 mg/mL). After 7 days at 27°C, dark, gray–white colonies with a dark brown underside appeared. Microscopic examination of the colonies revealed hyphae with typical conidia having transverse and longitudinal septa. Based on macroscopic and microscopic examination, the isolates were identified as Alternaria alternata (
Fig. 3).

Microscopic appearance of Alternaria alternata in culture. Hyphae with typical conidia having transverse and longitudinal septa (lactophenol cotton blue: original magnification, ×1000)

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Treatment with prednisolone was reduced to 10 mg/day and the patient received oral itraconazole (200 mg/day). This resulted in progressive improvement of alternariosis, and the lesions healed completely within 3 months, when treatment was interrupted. Two years later, there is no evidence of recurrence.