Geotrichum capitatum fungemia with skin lesions similar to varicella in a patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) can cause increased morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised persons. Varicella lesions (macules, papules and vesicles) often appear first on the scalp, face or trunk. We report the case of a leukemic patient who developed multiple maculopapular rashes with central vesicles after chemotherapy. The skin lesions were first noted on the scalp, face and then trunk and extremities. These manifestations were similar to those caused by VZV. Both blood culture and skin vesicle fluid culture yielded Geotrichum capitatum, which is a thermotolerant, yeast-like fungus that forms on culture cream-colored wrinkled colonies. Serology study and throat swab culture for VZV were negative. This case raises the possibility that fungal infection can manifest chickenpox-like skin lesions in immunocompromised patients.