METHODS: Forty cases of pathology-proven cases of implantation mycoses and invasive fungal infections with cutaneous involvement were retrospectively reviewed. The epidemiology, patients\' characteristics, initial clinical impressions, fungal species, management, and outcomes were compared and reported.
RESULTS: Fonsecaea sp. was the most commonly (14%) involved species in implantation mycoses. The percentages of immunocompromised patients with implantation mycoses and invasive fungal infections were 26% and 60%, respectively. Additionally, 46% of patients with implantation mycoses had type 2 diabetes mellitus. The lesions were commonly mistaken for skin appendage tumors, skin cancers, and hyperkeratotic dermatoses. The prognosis was favorable for the implantation mycoses (83% showed clinical improvement) but bleak for the invasive fungal infections (100% mortality).
CONCLUSIONS: Presentations of implantation mycoses and invasive fungal infections vary widely, and immunocompromised status and diabetes mellitus are important associated factors.