Deep cutaneous fungal infection in an immunocompetent individual caused by a biological pesticide: a rare case report.

BACKGROUND

Purpureocillium lilacinum is a type of fungus that is found all over the world and is known for its ability to help control pests, especially those that harm plants. Generally, this fungus does not cause serious problems for healthy people, but it can lead to severe infections in individuals with weakened immune systems. In this report, we discuss a rare case where a healthy person developed an infection after being exposed to a biopesticide containing this fungus.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 66-year-old woman presented with recurrent erythematous lesions on her face and arms that had chronically recurred over a 10-year period. Based on the patient's clinical symptoms, fungal culture results, and a thorough review of the medical history, a diagnosis of potential infection with Purpureocillium lilacinum is suggested. This patient was treated for three months with oral itraconazole (400 mg), which led to the complete healing of her skin lesions without any recurrence.

DISCUSSION AND

CONCLUSION

This is the first known case of a deep fungal infection linked to work with biopesticides. Our findings highlight the potential risks of using these products and emphasize the need for proper safety precautions and ongoing monitoring of fungal infections in various groups of people.