Christoffer Aam Ingvaldsen, Truls Michael Leegaard, Gunnhild Kravdal, Cato Mørk
DOI: 10.2340/00015555-3338

Infectious pseudochromhidrosis is a rare dermatological disorder, characterized by a change in colour of the sweat from normal skin, caused by pigments from microorganisms. Such pigments are a result of evolutionary competition among microorganisms, which appears to be a decisive factor in their survival, patho­genicity, and virulence. Four bacteria are known to be involved in infectious pseudochromhidrosis: Bacillus spp. (blue colour), Corynebacterium spp. (brown/black colour), Serratia marcescens (red/pink colour), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (blue-green colour). Infectious pseudochromhidrosis seems to be triggered by certain drugs and conditions causing physiological alterations and/or changes in microflora on the skin surface. The condition can be treated by addressing potential triggers and/or prescribing antibiotic/antiseptic therapies. We report here a case of blue infectious pseudochromhidrosis caused by pigment-producing Bacillus cereus and the results of a literature review.

Microorganisms may produce pigments to increase the likelihood of survival. Under favourable conditions such pigments can result in coloured sweat and/or atypical skin discolouration in patients. This is a rare dermatological disorder named infectious pseudochromhidrosis. We report here a case of blue infectious pseudochromhidrosis caused by the bacteria Bacillus cereus and a literature review. The potential triggers, causative microorganisms, diagnostic approaches, and suggested treatments for infectious pseudochromhidrosis are addressed.