Scytalidiosis in Paris, France.

BACKGROUND

Scytalidium dimidiatum and S hyalinum are molds responsible for human skin and nail infections in tropical areas.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to examine the epidemiology of cutaneous infections caused by Scytalidium species in a temperate country.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of patients with Scytalidium spp. infection diagnosed in our laboratory in Paris, France, from 1994 to 1999.

RESULTS

Cutaneous Scytalidium infections were diagnosed in 332 patients, all of whom were from the tropics, especially the West Indies and Africa. S hyalinum and S dimidiatum were isolated in 53.6% and 43.9% of cases, respectively, and were associated with dermatophytes in 30 patients. Skin and nail lesions were found in, respectively, 65.3% and 34.7% of cases, and the feet were involved in 90.6% of cases.

CONCLUSION

Cutaneous infections caused by Scytalidium species are far from rare in France, a temperate country, and must not be mistaken for dermatophytosis, given the resistance of S hyalinum and S dimidiatum to most antifungal drugs. Mycologic examination is, thus, required to identify Scytalidium spp in patients returning from or residing in tropical areas.