Lobomycosis
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
The onset of lobomycosis is insidious and progresses over decades. The incubation period is months to years. The fungus grows at temperatures lower than 37°C (98.6°F), such that spread of the infection systemically does not occur. There is often a history of antecedent trauma and subsequent environmental exposure (often water).
There is a strong male predominance (approximately 90% of cases), probably related to occupational exposure (eg, agriculture).
There may be genetic factors increasing the risk of infection as certain Native American tribes of Brazil are frequently infected; however, specific genetic markers have not been identified. This disease is very rare in travelers, and the first case in an American traveler was reported in 2000.
Dolphins are the only animal that can carry lobomycosis.
Lobomycosis clinically manifests as papules, nodules, and cauliflower-like keloidal lesions on exposed or cooler regions of the body, such as the lower extremities or ears. The most common presentation is a nodular keloid that slowly enlarges over years. The lesion may remain solitary, slowly expand within a localized region, or disseminate to other areas of the body. While regional lymph node involvement may occur, lobomycosis does not disseminate systemically.
The skin lesions grow slowly, and symptoms are often mild, such as mild pruritus or pain with trauma to the lesions. Therefore, there is often a delay in making the diagnosis.
Codes
ICD10CM:B48.0 – Lobomycosis
SNOMEDCT:
47306003 – Lobomycosis
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Keloid (often refractory to traditional therapies such as integrin-linked kinase [ILK] and surgery)
- Unlike the lesions of lobomycosis, the lesions of leprosy are hypopigmented and anesthetic.
- In mycetoma, sinus / fistula formation is seen, and expulsion of sulfur granules occurs.
- Unlike lobomycosis, patients with sporotrichosis may present with lymphadenopathy.
- Keloidal histoid leprosy (see leprosy)
- Chromoblastomycosis
- Cutaneous tuberculosis
- Old World leishmaniasis
- New World leishmaniasis
- Mycobacterium marinum
- Nocardiosis
- Paracoccidioidomycosis
- Squamous cell carcinoma (may be found concomitantly with lobomycosis)
- Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
- Tertiary syphilis
- Yaws
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Therapy
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References
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Last Reviewed:11/15/2022
Last Updated:02/21/2023
Last Updated:02/21/2023
Lobomycosis