Lobomycosis in Soldiers, Colombia

Lobomycosis is a disease that is endemic to the Amazon rainforest and is caused by the still uncultured fungus Lacazia loboi. This disease occurs in loggers, farmers, miners, fishermen, and persons living near coastal rivers of this region. We report 6 soldiers in Colombia in whom lobomycosis develo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Emerging infectious diseases 2019-04, Vol.25 (4), p.654-660
Main Authors: Arenas, Claudia M, Rodriguez-Toro, Gerzain, Ortiz-Florez, Andrea, Serrato, Ingrid
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Antifungal Agents - pharmacology
Antifungal Agents - therapeutic use
Biopsy
Brazil
Colombia
Cutaneous leishmaniasis
Dermatologic agents
Farmers
fungal infections
Fungi
Humans
Itraconazole
Jorge Lobo disease
Lacazia
Lacazia loboi
lacaziosis
Leishmaniasis
lobomycosis
Lobomycosis - diagnosis
Lobomycosis - drug therapy
Lobomycosis - epidemiology
Lobomycosis - microbiology
Lobomycosis in Soldiers, Colombia
Male
Medical personnel
Methenamine
Military Personnel
Mining industry
Rain forests
Skin
Skin - microbiology
Skin - pathology
Skin diseases
Soldiers
Surgery
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:Lobomycosis is a disease that is endemic to the Amazon rainforest and is caused by the still uncultured fungus Lacazia loboi. This disease occurs in loggers, farmers, miners, fishermen, and persons living near coastal rivers of this region. We report 6 soldiers in Colombia in whom lobomycosis developed after military service in the Amazon area. The patients had nodular and keloid-like lesions on the face, neck, trunk, and limbs. The duration of illness ranged from 2 years to 15 years. The initial diagnosis was leishmaniasis on the basis of clinical manifestations and direct smear results, but biopsies confirmed the final diagnosis of lobomycosis. Treatment with surgical excision, itraconazole and clofazimine was satisfactory. However, the follow-up time was short. Healthcare professionals responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases need to be able to recognize the clinical signs of lobomycosis and differentiate them from those of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
ISSN:1080-6040
1080-6059
DOI:10.3201/eid2504.181403