Cutaneous botryomycosis

Botryomycosis is a rare and chronic infectious disease characterized by the formation of grape-like clusters of granules. Although it is frequently mistaken for a fungal infection, botryomycosis may be caused by various types of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and others. The disease commonly affects the skin, most often on the limbs, although lesions may also develop in the skin of the trunk, face, and anal area. Botryomycosis may also involve the abdominal organs, mouth, tongue, brain, and eye. Cases are described of four patients with botryomycosis affecting the skin. Risk factors for botryomycosis include alcoholism, diabetes, and trauma, or injury. The patients cited here developed node-like growths, pus-producing patches, or ulcers. The types of bacteria isolated from the patients included Staphylococcus aureus in two cases, Neisseria species in one case, and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium species in one case. All patients were successfully treated with antibiotics. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)