Lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis treated with potassium iodide with development of subclinical hypothyroidism: wolff-chaikoff effect?

Pooja Arora, M Raihan, Asha Kubba, Ram K Gautam

Indian Dermatology Online Journal 2017 8(6):475-477

Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycotic infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii that is acquired by traumatic implantation. The diagnosis is established by demonstration of fungal elements on histopathology and culture. Potassium iodide, azole antifungals, and terbinafine are the treatment options available. In this article, we report a 60-year-old female with lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis that responded well to potassium iodide. However, subclinical hypothyroidism (Wolff–Chaikoff effect) was encountered as a side effect of therapy which was managed with thyroxine replacement. Knowledge about the Wolff-Chaikoff effect (WCE) is important for the dermatologist and reinforces the need for screening and monitoring of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in patients where long duration therapy is being planned.