Infectious Pseudochromhidrosis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Infectious pseudochromhidrosis is a rare dermatological disorder, characterized by a change in colour of the sweat from normal skin, caused by pigments from microorganisms. Such pigments are a result of evolutionary competition among microorganisms, which appears to be a decisive factor in their survival, patho­genicity, and virulence. Four bacteria are known to be involved in infectious pseudochromhidrosis: Bacillus spp. (blue colour), Corynebacterium spp. (brown/black colour), Serratia marcescens (red/pink colour), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (blue-green colour). Infectious pseudochromhidrosis seems to be triggered by certain drugs and conditions causing physiological alterations and/or changes in microflora on the skin surface. The condition can be treated by addressing potential triggers and/or prescribing antibiotic/antiseptic therapies. We report here a case of blue infectious pseudochromhidrosis caused by pigment-producing Bacillus cereus and the results of a literature review.

Keywords

• chromhidrosis
• pseudochromhidrosis
• infectious pseudochromhidrosis
• coloured sweat
• pigment