LAUSR

Mycetoma (or Madura foot) is a granulomatous infection of dermal and subcutaneous tissues that can be caused by bacteria (actinomycotic mycetoma) or fungi (eumycotic mycetoma). The classic clinical triad of mycetoma includes soft tissue swelling, sinus tracts, and characteristic macroscopic grains – which represent compact masses of microorganisms. All mycetoma subtypes have a similar clinical presentation. Grains represent the hallmarks of mycetoma. The precise diagnosis of mycetoma’s subtype is further based on the color of the grains and laboratory evaluation. However, the access to an experienced mycology laboratory is challenging, especially in tropical and subtropical areas where the disease is endemic, and the presumptive diagnosis relies on the color of the grains. Black grains are constantly associated with eumycotic mycetoma,