Cutaneous Aspergillosis

Although extensive investigation has clarified multiple aspects of pulmonary aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients, cutaneous aspergillosis occurs relatively less frequently and therefore remains poorly characterized. Previous reports have described cutaneous aspergillosis as either primary (2, 17, 25, 38) or secondary (15, 19) infection. Primary cutaneous aspergillosis usually involves sites of skin injury, namely, at or near intravenous access catheter sites, at sites of traumatic inoculation, and at sites associated with occlusive dressings, burns, or surgery. Secondary cutaneous lesions result either from contiguous extension to the skin from infected underlying structures or from widespread blood-borne seeding of the skin. Herein, we present a review of cutaneous aspergillosis among immunocompromised patient populations. With this review, we have attempted to better define risk factors and common clinical presentations, as well as to formulate a reasonable approach to the diagnosis and management of cutaneous aspergillosis.