Chromoblastomycosis: Tissue modifications during itraconazole treatment

Background: histological and mycological changes during itraconazole use have not been totally established in chromoblastomycosis. objectives: to evaluate tissue modifications in chromoblastomycosis carriers under itraconazole treatment. methods: a histological retrospective study of 20 cases of chromoblastomycosis seen at the university hospital at the south of brazil,during itraconazole 400 mg daily treatment. patients were classified into two groups: plaque or tumor lesions,and underwent periodic evaluations every four months during three years. hematoxylin-eosin stain was used to analyze epidermal modifications,inflammatory infiltrate and fibrosis,and fontana-masson stain for parasite evaluation. results: fontana-masson stain was superior to hematoxylin-eosin stain in fungal count in the epidermis (mean difference=0.14; p<0.05). the most distinct mycosis tissue responses were registered in the dermis. epidermal thinning,granulomatous infiltrate decrease or disappearance,fibrosis increase and quantitative/morphological changes occurred during treatment. study limitations: patients could not be located to have their current skin condition examined. conclusion: parasitic and tissue changes verified in this study can reflect the parasite-host dynamics under itraconazole action. © 2017 by anais brasileiros de dermatologia.