Mucormycosis

Predominantly a disease of immunocompromised patients. Its incidence has been increasing over the past 20 years.

Five types are commonly described: rhino-orbito-cerebral (most common), pulmonary, cutaneous, disseminated, and gastrointestinal (rare).

Histopathology of affected tissue is key to obtaining a definitive diagnosis.

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis commonly occurs in patients with diabetes and presents with headache, visual changes, sinusitis, and, later, proptosis.

Pulmonary mucormycosis commonly presents as a cough in patients with underlying malignancy or transplant (bone marrow or solid organ). Late diagnosis may result in dissemination, leading to high mortality.

High level of suspicion and early institution of combined medical therapy with amphotericin B, surgical treatment, and immune restoration is essential for good outcomes.

Mucormycosis is a group of mold infections caused by fungi in the class previously known as Zygomycetes, now renamed Mucormycetes. The most common manifestations are rhino-orbito-cerebral infections followed by pulmonary, cutaneous, disseminated, and gastrointestinal infections.[1]Antachopoulos C, Gea-Banacloche JC, Walsh TJ. Zygomycosis (mucormycosis). In: Hospenthal DR, Rinaldi MG, eds. Diagnosis and treatment of human mycoses. New York, NY: Springer; 2008:227-243.