Scholarlink

Background <p>Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are at increased risk of opportunistic infections due to immune dysregulation and immunosuppressive therapies.</p> Methods <p>A retrospective study describes sequential cutaneous infections caused by <i>Phialemoniopsis curvata</i> and <i>Botryosphaeria dothidea</i>. Mycological examination includes direct microscopy, mycology culture and slide culture of the isolate. Biopsy of the lesion was sent for histopathology and periodic acid-Schiff staining. The PCR product was directly sequenced using both the ITS1 primer and ITS4 primer. Isolate was further identified by scanning electronic microscopy. A literature review was conducted via PubMed and Scopus using keywords related to <i>P. curvata</i> and <i>B. dothidea</i> infections. Clinical, histopathological, and microbiological data from the patient’s case were analyzed, including fungal culture, microscopy, and molecular identification.</p> Results <p>The 58-year-old RA patient presented with sequential cutaneous infections caused by <i>Phialemoniopsis curvata</i> and <i>Botryosphaeria dothidea</i> with long-term glucocorticoids and methotrexate, which was confirmed by histopathology, mycology study, PCR sequencing and scanning electronic microscopy. Literature review identified 29 cases, with hematologic involvement and high mortality (25%) in <i>P. curvata</i> infections.</p> Conclusions <p>Immunosuppression is the primary risk factor for infections by environmental fungi like <i>P. curvata</i> and <i>B. dothidea</i>. Hematogenous dissemination correlates with poor outcomes, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and antifungal therapy. Clinicians should maintain high vigilance for atypical fungal pathogens in RA patients on immunosuppressants.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Sequential Phialemoniopsis curvata and Botryosphaeria dothidea infections over three years in bilateral lower limbs of a rheumatoid arthritis patient: a case-based review

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月30日

查看全文
  • Xiujiao Xia,
  • Zehu Liu

摘要

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are at increased risk of opportunistic infections due to immune dysregulation and immunosuppressive therapies.

Methods

A retrospective study describes sequential cutaneous infections caused by Phialemoniopsis curvata and Botryosphaeria dothidea. Mycological examination includes direct microscopy, mycology culture and slide culture of the isolate. Biopsy of the lesion was sent for histopathology and periodic acid-Schiff staining. The PCR product was directly sequenced using both the ITS1 primer and ITS4 primer. Isolate was further identified by scanning electronic microscopy. A literature review was conducted via PubMed and Scopus using keywords related to P. curvata and B. dothidea infections. Clinical, histopathological, and microbiological data from the patient’s case were analyzed, including fungal culture, microscopy, and molecular identification.

Results

The 58-year-old RA patient presented with sequential cutaneous infections caused by Phialemoniopsis curvata and Botryosphaeria dothidea with long-term glucocorticoids and methotrexate, which was confirmed by histopathology, mycology study, PCR sequencing and scanning electronic microscopy. Literature review identified 29 cases, with hematologic involvement and high mortality (25%) in P. curvata infections.

Conclusions

Immunosuppression is the primary risk factor for infections by environmental fungi like P. curvata and B. dothidea. Hematogenous dissemination correlates with poor outcomes, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and antifungal therapy. Clinicians should maintain high vigilance for atypical fungal pathogens in RA patients on immunosuppressants.