A case report of right foot eumycetoma caused by Corynespora cassiicola in Sudan with review of literature

Abstract

Corynespora includes plant pathogenic species with a worldwide distribution and a wide host range, particularly cereals and grass.

We describe a case of black grains eumycetoma of the right foot of 33 years old Sudanese male caused by Corynespora cassiicola after 55 years from the first case reported by Mahgoub ES in 1969. The fungus was successfully identified based on the cultural and molecular techniques as a Corynespora cassiicola. The clinical strain showed low MIC to itraconazole (0.12 µg/ml). Therefore our patient received 200 mg itraconazole BID and folic acid 5 mg once per day. A good clinical response to medical treatment was seen as the sinuses started to heal and the lesions decreased in size. There was no recurrence at the time of the one-year follow up.

In conclusion, updated taxonomy is essential to identify the new causative agents to the species level and is fundamental to elucidate the eumycetoma associated with this unusual fungus and to determine the appropriate therapy.