Rare Case Report of Dual Pathogen Causing Chronic Subcutaneous Infection: Alternaria alternata and Staphylococcus aureus in an Immunocompetent Patient

Abstract

Chronic pyo-granulomatous infection of subcutaneous tissues with recurrence and exacerbations are predominantly of bacterial origin in Southern India. Most of the infections may not present with the classic triad to be labeled as mycetoma. Frequently, granular discharge is absent or not elicited. More often the infection is monomicrobial. However, rare polymicrobial infections are posing challenges in the treatment of the same. The genus Alternaria belongs to phaeoid fungi infecting immunocompromised hosts. They are associated with cutaneous and subcutaneous infections (70-80%) predominantly. We recount a rare case of chronic subcutaneous mixed infection by Alternaria alternata and methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus in a healthy, immunocompetent, non-diabetic woman.

Keywords

• botryomycosis
• phaeohyphomycosis
• soft tissue infections