How is Mycetoma characterized in terms of its progression and tissue destruction caused by deep, dirty inoculation?
It is a chronic, slowly progressive infection destroying skin, tissue, bone, and muscle.
Mycetoma represents one of the most severe, long-term complications resulting from extremely deep puncture trauma, often associated with penetrating injuries from plant material carrying resilient environmental fungi or bacteria found in soil or compost. Unlike acute infections, Mycetoma is defined by its insidious nature; it is a chronic infection that progresses slowly over time. However, its slow progression should not mask its destructive capacity. If left untreated or inadequately managed, Mycetoma actively destroys the affected tissues, systematically breaking down the skin, the underlying subcutaneous tissue, and potentially invading deeper structures like the bone and muscle in the localized area.
