Mucormycosis

Mucormycosis (phycomycosis/zygomycosis) is acute/systemic fungal infection by Mucorales (Rhizopus/Mucor/Absidia). Routes: respiratory/GI/skin/mucocutaneous; angioinvasive → thrombosis/ischemia/infarction/necrosis. Rising with immunodeficiency.

Common Symptoms

Coma; mold infection; granuloma; diarrhea; dyspnea; intestinal bleeding; nodule; hemoptysis; meningitis; peritonitis

Causes and Pathogenesis

(1) Etiology: Mucor racemosus/Absidia/Rhizopus arrhizus/orizae; vascular wall/lumen invasion → inflammation/thrombosis. (2) Pathogenesis: common environmental contaminant, opportunistic; soil/fertilizer/fruit; inhalation → lung/sinus; ingestion → GI. Pulmonary/cerebral forms secondary to severe diabetes (ketoacidosis)/malignant lymphoma/alcoholism/liver disease/anemia/long-term steroids.

Treatment

Drug therapy, supportive therapy

Preventive Measures

Filtered/laminar-air isolation; control diabetes/lymphoma/leukemia; judicious immunosuppressants; food hygiene. Early diagnosis (clinical: rapid fulminant; rhinocerebral → thoracic/abdominal/pelvic/GI/skin; diabetic acidosis/leukemia/lymphoma/malnutrition). Amphotericin B 1.2 mg/kg IV qod; control diabetes; surgical debridement; combine with 5FC/itraconazole/fluconazole. Mortality falls from 80-90% to ~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.