부산대학교 도서관

Rhytidhysteron rufulum, a melanized fungus, is usually considered as a saprophyte and human infections due to this fungus are rarely reported in literature. To the best of our knowledge, since 2008, only eight cases of human infections due to R. rufulum has been reported and all cases were exclusively from India. We, hereby, present a case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to R. rufulum in a 55-year-old male from Puducherry (India) who presented with swelling over left leg for one year. The patient also suffered from diabetes mellitus, systemic hypertension and chronic kidney disease. The fungus isolated in culture was finally identified by molecular sequencing. With advances in molecular diagnostic techniques, many organisms which were traditionally considered as non-pathogenic are increasingly being recognised as human pathogens. Accurate identification of the organism is essential for effective treatment and hence, molecular diagnostic techniques should be applied where ever appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]