Zygomycosis

Zygomycosis is acute/subacute/chronic opportunistic infection by Zygomycetes; worldwide; rising with immunodeficiency. Mucorales = acute, rapid, high mortality; Entomophthorales = chronic/granulomatous. Diagnosis by mycology/histopathology. Treat Mucorales: control underlying disease, debridement, amphotericin B; Conidiobolus: saturated KI 30 mg/kg or ketoconazole 400 mg/d.

Common Symptoms

Ulcer niche; dyspnea; pustule; abdominal distension; hemoptysis; intracranial hypertension; nasal congestion; abdominal pain; nausea

Causes and Pathogenesis

Etiology: Zygomycota, primitive fast-growing terrestrial fungi in decaying plants/soil; environmental contaminants; some plant/insect pathogens; rare human. Sexual zygospores, asexual sporangiospores; coenocytic hyphae. 7 orders/30 families; only Mucorales/Entomophthorales medically important. Mucorales: Rhizopus/Absidia/Rhizomucor/Mucor/Cunninghamella/Saksenaea/Conidiobolus. Entomophthorales: Basidiobolus/Rhizopus microsporus/orizae (R. oryzae = 60% of cultures, 90% of rhinocerebral); tropical/subtropical; produces ergot alkaloid. Mucor ubiquitous, saprophytic; low virulence; 28-30°C optimal (grows at 37°C); broad pauciseptate hyphae, right-angle branching, angioinvasive. Entomophthorales: in decaying plants/reptile/amphibian GI; non-pathogenic to animals; cold-sensitive; grows 25-37°C.

Treatment

TCM, supportive therapy

Preventive Measures

Filtered isolation; control diabetes/lymphoma/leukemia; judicious immunosuppressants; food hygiene. Early diagnosis; amphotericin B 1.2 mg/kg qod; debridement; combine 5FC/itraconazole/fluconazole; mortality 80-90% → ~50%.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Hematology department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.