Pathogenetic and clinical significance of fungal infection of the palmar aponeurosis in Dupuytren's contracture

Introduction Among the generally accepted theories of the etiology and pathogenesis of palmar fascial fibromatosis, the role of infectious factors has not been considered; however, there are references to fungal skin lesions in patients with advanced contractures and several studies that identified fungal infection in surgical material from such patients.

The purpose of the work was to assess the pathogenetic and clinical significance of fungal infection of the palmar fascia in Dupuytren's contracture.

Materials and methods We studied 41 medical records of patients operated on for Dupuytren's contracture in stages II-IV. The surgical material was examined at the light-optical level (hematoxylin-eosin and methenamine-silver PASM stains) and with scanning electron microscopy.

Results Fungal infection of the palmar aponeurosis was detected in 20 out of 41 patients; various types of tissue reaction to the introduction of fungi into the palmar aponeurosis and the blood vessels perforating it were found. Groups of patients without signs of fungal invasion (n = 21) and with signs of fungal infection of the palmar aponeurosis (n = 20) were comparable in clinical and demographic characteristics, but significantly differed in the rate of early relapses, 0 versus 25 % in the group with fungal infection (p = 0.02).

Discussion The immunogenetic characteristics of patients with palmar fascial fibromatosis and characteristic skin lesions create general and local conditions for the introduction of fungal flora.

Conclusion Histological detection of pseudohyphae of the genus Candida in the palmar aponeurosis and the lumens of blood vessels in patients with Dupuytren's contracture verifies invasive candidiasis; the relationship between fungal infection of the aponeurosis and an increased rate of early relapses of contracture has been statistically proven. To increase the duration of the relapse-free period and potentially the life expectancy of patients, consultations with infectious disease mycologists and correction of modifiable risk factors for candidiasis are necessary.

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