Aspergillosis occasionally can present as a primary infection of the skin without an initial focus elsewhere.
Most patients were male and from18 to 65 years of age but it can occur in neonates.
Risk factors:
(1) trauma or burn
(2) agricultural work
(3) systemic underlying condition (hematologic malignancy, transplant, immunosuppression, HIV, diabetes)
About 10% did not have a local or systemic underlying condition.
Mortality in immunocompromised patients was associated with:
(1) disseminated disease (usually associated with an underlying systemic condition)
(2) HIV
Successful management requires:
(1) early diagnosis
(2) aggressive management
(3) control of immunocompromising condition when possible
Differential diagnosis:
(1) secondary cutaneous aspergillosis from primary pulmonary focus or in disseminated disease
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Specialty: Infectious Diseases, Dermatology
