Medical expert of the article

Infectious disease

New publications

Mycetoma pathogens

Alexey Portnov, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Pathogenesis

Epidemiology
Diagnostics
Treatment

Miketoma (maduromycosis, Malurian foot) - chronic purulent-inflammatory process of subcutaneous tissue and adjacent tissues. Mycetoma originators are demacic fungi (eumycotic mycetoma) or actinomycetes (actin and cetoma) of the genera Actinomyces, Nocardia, Sireptomyces, Actimomadura. Among the fungi are Pseudallescheria boydii, Aeremomum (Cephalosporium) Jidciforme, Madurella grisea, Phialophora cryanescem, Exophiala jrcmselmei, Scedosporium apiospermum, Leptosphaeria senegcdensis.

trusted-source [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]

Pathogenesis and symptoms of mycetoma

Infection occurs through damaged skin. Gradually formed papules, deep nodes and abscesses. The destructive process affects the fascia, muscles and bones. Fibrinous tissue develops. Most often affected are the lower limbs. The foot swells and deforms.

Epidemiology of mycetoma

Mycetoma pathogens live in the soil and on plants. They are transmitted by contact. An aerogenic transmission with respiratory tract damage is also possible. Miketoma is more common in the tropics and subtropics.

trusted-source [8], [9], [10], [11],

Microbiological diagnosis of mycetoma

In pus, bioptate, treated with KOH solution, characteristic colored grains (diameter 0.5-2 microns), septate hyphae and chlamydospores of fungi are revealed. The hyphae of Pseudallescheria boydii are difficult to distinguish from Aspergillus. In the presence of actinomycetes, druses and branching thin bacterial filaments are seen. The sexual stage of P. Boydii is accompanied by the formation of cleistothecia (100-200 μm), which breaks and releases pale brown elliptical ascospores.

Treatment of mycetoma

Miketoma is treated with itraconazole. Possible resection of the affected tissue.

Translation Disclaimer: For the convenience of users of the iLive portal this article has been translated into the current language, but has not yet been verified by a native speaker who has the necessary qualifications for this. In this regard, we warn you that the translation of this article may be incorrect, may contain lexical, syntactic and grammatical errors.