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[Necrotizing fasciitis in an immunocompetent patient caused by Apophysomyces elegans]

Carmen Elena Ruiz1, Myrtha Arango, Ana Lucía Correa

  • 1Servicio de Cirugía, Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe, Medellín, Colombia.

Biomedica : Revista Del Instituto Nacional De Salud
|November 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

A child developed a fatal Aphrophoma elegans infection after a severe car accident. Despite antifungal treatment, the necrotizing fasciitis progressed, leading to death.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Paediatric Trauma

Background:

  • Mucorales molds, including Aphrophoma elegans, are emerging fungal pathogens.
  • Traumatic injuries can serve as an entry point for opportunistic fungal infections.
  • Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe soft tissue infection requiring prompt management.

Observation:

  • A 7-year-old boy sustained severe injuries from a car accident.
  • Fungal infection with Aphrophoma elegans presented as a spotted wound, progressing to necrotizing fasciitis.
  • The infection spread to the right lumbar area, gluteus, and flank.

Findings:

  • Antimycotic treatment was ineffective against the Aphrophoma elegans infection.
  • The patient succumbed to the infection 8 weeks post-accident.
  • This case highlights the aggressive nature of Aphrophoma elegans in immunocompromised or severely injured hosts.

Implications:

  • Increased awareness of rare fungal infections like Aphrophoma elegans in trauma cases is crucial.
  • Development of novel therapeutic strategies for mucormycosis is warranted.
  • Further research into the pathogenesis and treatment of Aphrophoma elegans infections is needed.

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