View source for Alternaria

== Background ==
* A [[Dematiaceous molds|dematiaceous mold]] that mainly causes cutaneous infections in immunocompromised patients

== Clinical Manifestations ==
* Predominantly causes cutaneous or subcutaneous lesions in immunocompromised patients
* Lesions are often on the dorsal part of the hands and feet, elbows, knees and pretibial area

== Diagnosis ==
* Culture
** Colony
*** Grows relatively rapidly (within 7 days) at 30ºC
*** Grey to brown colonies with black reverse
** Microscopy
*** Yellow-brownish hyphae with or without budding cells
*** Muriform macroconidia
* Ultimately require culture/microcroscopy +/- DNA targets to make the identification

== Management ==
* Wide excisional surgery, treatment with [[Is treated by::itraconazole]], [[Is treated by::voriconazole]], [[Is treated by::posaconazole]] and [[Is treated by::amphotericin B]]
* High MICs to [[echinocandins]], but may possibly be used in combination

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Alternaria''}}
[[Category:Dematiaceous molds]]