Fusarium oxysporum infection of stasis ulcer: Eradication with measures aimed to improve stasis

Abstract

Fusarium species may cause localised skin infections in immunocompetent individuals. At least half of these infections are preceded by skin breakdown. The lesions are characterised by slow progression and good response to therapy. Here we present a 60-year-old non-diabetic man with stasis ulcers showing Fusarium oxysporum growth in culture of both pus swabs and skin biopsy specimens. The patient was confined to wheelchair because of recurrent sacral chordoma of 15 years duration, which was not under treatment for the last 3 years. Leg ulcers were resistant to antifungal therapy, and healed rapidly after improving of stasis with local and systemic measures.