01529nas a2200193   4500000000100000008004100001653002100042653004200063653001600105653001200121653002900133100001500162700001100177700001200188245010700200856008900307300000800396520093100404       2024                            d10acladophialophora10acystic subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis10aFluconazole10aLeprosy10aone celled blastoconidia1 a Kumar PBP1 aMala M1 aJacob E00aCystic Subcutaneous Phaeohyphomycosis Caused by Cladophialophora Species in an Elderly Leprosy Patient  uhttps://assets.cureus.com/uploads/case_report/pdf/299488/20241004-2184749-lnvd5t.pdf  a1-93 a<p>Phaeoid (dematiaceous) fungi are a diverse group of species characterized by their production of the pigment dihydroxynaphthalene melanin.&nbsp;Although phaeoid fungi do not usually cause human infections, they are commonly found in nature as contaminants. These fungi are present in decomposing vegetation, rotting timber, and soil.&nbsp;However, an increase in infections is probably due to the increase in the population of individuals with compromised immune systems. An elderly female patient from the southernmost part of India, who was previously treated for leprosy, presented with multiple boggy swellings in her right hand. An appropriate sample was collected under aseptic precautions and subjected to microbiological analysis, which led to the isolation of&nbsp;<em>Cladophialophora</em>&nbsp;species. The patient was treated with antifungal drugs, but her condition worsened, resulting in a poor outcome.</p>