Widely disseminated cutaneous candidosis in adults

Of 9 adults, 5 males, 4 females, with wide dissemination of Candida albicans skin lesions, the eruption started in the groin, from which it spread to other areas in most cases. In 5 cases the disseminated lesions were papulo-pustular; the rest were erythematous-squamous. Hyphae and yeast cells of C. albicans were found on direct microscopy. Diabetes was present in 5 patients, lymphoma in 1, and bullous pemphigoid in another. Onychia and paronychia were found in 7 patients, intertriginous lesions of the fingers in 4 and oral thrush in 2. Intradermal skin tests were negative. The percentage and absolute numbers of T-lymphocytes were normal in 6 of 7 patients, whereas their functional activity was impaired in 4 of 6 patients, as evidenced by the negative Graft-versus host reaction. The role of concurrent disease in the pathogenesis of the candidosis is discussed.