Situation and vulnerability
Inoculation after a small wound, including thorn, is suspected. Manual activities and barefoot walking in the exhibiting environment are frequent contexts.
Signs and limits of their interpretation
A sometimes painless mass, fistula and a grain-containing flow are characteristic. However, a mild evolution can destroy the tissues.
Diagnosis and monitoring
Examination of the grains, samples and identification of the agent guide the processing. Imaging evaluates the extent of the lesions.
Check these benchmarks in the WHO reference →
Prevention and care
Wear shoes and protect the wounds. Persistent mass should be evaluated early; treatments are different depending on bacterial or fungal origin.
Practical issues
Is a mycetoma still a fungus?
No: some mycetoms are bacterial. Antibiotics, antifungals and possible interventions have different indications, which require identification of the cause.
Preparing for an exchange with a professional
- Injury, thorn and place of exposure
- Start of mass and presence of grains
- Imaging and identification of agents
Bring the full minutes and dates. This information facilitates evaluation; its collection must not delay an urgent appeal.
Image generated by artificial intelligence. AI illustration; it does not depict a disease, biological agent or diagnosis.
Organize my dates, documents and questions →
Related fact sheets
These sheets share ways or contexts of exhibition in our catalogue. This reconciliation does not establish a differential diagnosis.
- Chromoblastomycosis
- Infection with Candida auris
- Clostridioides difficile infection
- Pinworm infection
- Sporotrichosis
- Amebiasis
Compare Mycetoma with associated plugs →
Return to directory file →