Botryomycosis in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Botryomycosis is a rare bacterial infection that may mimic fungal disease both clinically and histologically. Cutaneous botryomycosis is uncommon and usually appears as plaques with superficial pustules and crusts. On microscopic examination lesions are characterized by the presence of granules that resemble the sulfur granules of actinomyces with a granulomatous inflammatory response. An increased incidence has been reported in populations with altered immune function and the presentation may be atypical in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. We report the successful treatment of a case of mucocutaneous botryomycosis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A review of the literature is presented, with special emphasis on cutaneous manifestations of botryomycosis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.