chromoblastomycosis

Pronunciation: krō′mō-blas′tō-mī-kō′sis

Definition: A localized chronic mycosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissues characterized by skin lesions so rough and irregular as to present a cauliflowerlike appearance; caused by dematiaceous fungi such as Phialophora verrucosa, Exophiala (Wangiella) dermatitidis, Fonsecaea pedrosoi, F. compacta, and Cladosporium carrionii; fungal cells resembling copper pennies form rounded sclerotic bodies in tissue, with epidermal hyperplasia and intraepidermal microabscesses.

Synonym(s): chromomycosis

[chromo- + G. blastos, germ, + mykē, fungus, + -osis, condition]

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