Life Science Encyclopedia

Mucormycosis (also known as zygomycosis) is a rare but serious infection of fungi of the Mucorales order.^[1] The most common fungi responsible for mucormycosis in humans are Mucor and Rhizopus.

Presentation

It frequently involves the sinuses, brain, or lungs and most commonly presents in immunocompromised patients.

While orbitorhinocerebral mucormycosis is the most common type of the disease, this infection can also manifest in the gastrointestinal tract, skin, and in other organ systems.

Associated conditions

Some 50-75% of patients diagnosed with mucormycosis are estimated to have underlying poorly controlled diabetes mellitus and ketoacidosis.

Treatment

Surgical resection of the "fungus ball" and intravenous amphotericin B is the recommended therapy.

References

1. ^ eMedicine - Mucormycosis : Article by Nancy F Crum-Cianflone, MD MPH. Retrieved on 2007-09-30.