Cutaneous aspergillosis masquerading in sporotrichoid morphology in an immunocompetent host

Abstract Primary cutaneous aspergillosis is an uncommon opportunistic infection, generally seen in immunocompromised individuals. However, many atypical presentations have been reported recently particularly with the increased domain of immunosuppression. Sporotrichoid pattern of aspergillosis where it invades deep lymphatics have rarely been reported and never in immunocompetent individuals previously. We hereby report a case of a 29 years old immunocompetent individual with no comorbidities who presented with multiple painful erythematous papules and nodules over the left upper limb in a sporotrichoid pattern. Microscopy revealed branched septate hyphae and culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar grew powdery greenish colonies which showed hyaline branched septate hyphae with brush-like conidiophores and globose conidia in chains. Histopathology from one of the nodules was consistent with deep fungal infection. A diagnosis of Aspergillus chivalieri was made based on 18S rRNA sequencing of the isolate. The patient showed a satisfactory response to oral Itraconazole over 12 weeks.