Infections caused by dimorphic fungi, rarely observed in a
temperate climate, may cause chronic infections in immunocompromised
patients. We describe a case of sporotrichosis
in a 50–year–old woman, who underwent mastectomy due to
breast carcinoma, followed by radiation and chemotherapy.
She developed skin lesions, localized along the lymphatics.
Discharge samples repeatedly yielded a characteristic growth
of the dimorphic fungus
Sporothrix schenckii. The isolate was
resistant to all commonly used antifungal agents, except for
itraconazole. Therapy with this antifungal agent resulted in
disappearance of the clinical symptoms.