Delusions of Disseminated Fungosis

Introduction. Delusional infestation is a rare monosymptomatic hypochondriacal psychosis according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013). It can be a primary disorder or associated with an underlying psychological or phy...

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Main Authors: Ian Gassiep, Paul Matthew Griffin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2014-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Infectious Diseases
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/458028
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author Ian Gassiep
Paul Matthew Griffin
author_facet Ian Gassiep
Paul Matthew Griffin
author_sort Ian Gassiep
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. Delusional infestation is a rare monosymptomatic hypochondriacal psychosis according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013). It can be a primary disorder or associated with an underlying psychological or physical disorder. It commonly presents as delusional parasitosis, and less than 1% may be fungi related. We present this case as it is a rare presentation of a rare condition. Case Presentation. Our patient is a 60-year-old Caucasian man who presented with a 7-year history of delusional infestation manifested as a disseminated fungal infection. He had previously been reviewed by multiple physicians for the same with no systemic illness diagnosed. After multiple reviews and thorough investigation we diagnosed him with a likely delusional disorder. As is common with this patient cohort he refused psychiatric review or antipsychotic medication. Conclusion. A delusion of a disseminated fungal infestation is a rare condition. It is exceedingly difficult to treat as these patients often refuse to believe the investigation results and diagnosis. Furthermore, they either refuse or are noncompliant with treatment. Multidisciplinary outpatient evaluation may be the best way to allay patient fears and improve treatment compliance.
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spelling doaj-art-95734f855efb417382990d1576e0a0842025-08-20T03:37:02ZengWileyCase Reports in Infectious Diseases2090-66252090-66332014-01-01201410.1155/2014/458028458028Delusions of Disseminated FungosisIan Gassiep0Paul Matthew Griffin1Department of Infectious Diseases, Mater Health Services and Mater Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4101, AustraliaDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Mater Health Services and Mater Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4101, AustraliaIntroduction. Delusional infestation is a rare monosymptomatic hypochondriacal psychosis according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013). It can be a primary disorder or associated with an underlying psychological or physical disorder. It commonly presents as delusional parasitosis, and less than 1% may be fungi related. We present this case as it is a rare presentation of a rare condition. Case Presentation. Our patient is a 60-year-old Caucasian man who presented with a 7-year history of delusional infestation manifested as a disseminated fungal infection. He had previously been reviewed by multiple physicians for the same with no systemic illness diagnosed. After multiple reviews and thorough investigation we diagnosed him with a likely delusional disorder. As is common with this patient cohort he refused psychiatric review or antipsychotic medication. Conclusion. A delusion of a disseminated fungal infestation is a rare condition. It is exceedingly difficult to treat as these patients often refuse to believe the investigation results and diagnosis. Furthermore, they either refuse or are noncompliant with treatment. Multidisciplinary outpatient evaluation may be the best way to allay patient fears and improve treatment compliance.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/458028
spellingShingle Ian Gassiep
Paul Matthew Griffin
Delusions of Disseminated Fungosis
Case Reports in Infectious Diseases
title Delusions of Disseminated Fungosis
title_full Delusions of Disseminated Fungosis
title_fullStr Delusions of Disseminated Fungosis
title_full_unstemmed Delusions of Disseminated Fungosis
title_short Delusions of Disseminated Fungosis
title_sort delusions of disseminated fungosis
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/458028
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