Ornella Cervetti

Non-dermatophyte moulds as skin and nail foot mycosis agents: Phoma herbarum, Chaetomium globosum and Microascus cinereus

The increased prevalence of dermatomycoses along with the wide range of organisms now recognized as potential pathogens needs accurate laboratory isolation and identification of the aetiological agents. In this report three cases of foot dermatomycoses due to filamentous fungi commonly present in the environment with ubiquitous distribution are described in immunocompetent subjects. Skin and nail samples were collected, suspended in 20% KOH solution, examined under a light microscope and cultured in Mycobiotic agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar containing chloramphenicol to detect fungal growth. Phoma herbarum, Chaetomium globosum, and Microascus cinereus were isolated and identified.

Melanoma of the lower extremities: foot site is an independent risk factor for clinical outcome

Despite the better prognosis of melanomas localized on lower extremities, some studies have suggested that melanomas on the foot are related to a poorer survival and should be considered separately.

Les actinomycétales en pathologie cutanée

After discussing the classification of the Actinomycetales, the authors give a detailed description of the epidemiology and particularly of the clinical features of cutaneous diseases induced by genera such as Actinomyces, Norcardia and Streptomyces. Histopathological and immunological studies, together with laboratory and differential diagnostics, are also examined. In the last section, present therapeutic treatments are briefly outlined.