BACKGROUND

Opportunistic infections have occurred during dimethyl fumarate (DMF) therapy.

OBJECTIVE

Diffuse skin dermatophytosis which occurred during DMF therapy in the setting of lymphopenia is described.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The clinical course, the lymphocyte subset profile, and dermatologic evaluations were reviewed. In both instances, there was no other cause of lymphopenia or immune suppression, and it is likely that the tinea infections are associated with DMF therapy.

CONCLUSION

The occurrence of dermatophytosis widens the spectrum of opportunistic infections associated with DMF therapy. Further research is necessary to fully elucidate the mechanism of lymphopenia and potentially impaired immune competence during DMF therapy.