Mycetoma : Acremonium Sp

Mycetomas are characterized by discharge of granules in the exudate from multiple draining sinus tracts. Granules are easily spotted at low magnification in the sections taken from infected tissues. They are present within the area of suppuration and are surrounded by neutrophils and palisaded histiocytes. They are composed of a mass of fungal hyphae or filamentous bacteria organized within a deeply-eosinophilic amorphous matrix (Splendore-Hoeppli material). Multinucleated giant cells as well as granulation tissue may surround the granules.

This Gridley-stained photomicrograph shows detail of several granules from a mycetoma caused by Acremonium species. Image courtesy of: Dr. Libero Ajello, CDC Public Health Image Library.