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Primary renal zygomycosis due to Rhizopus oryzae

Jin Yu1, Ruo Yu Li

  • 1Department of Dermatology and Research Center of Medical Mycology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, PR China.

Medical Mycology
|August 3, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Primary renal zygomycosis is a rare fungal infection. This case highlights Rhizopus oryzae as an etiologic agent in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Nephrology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Primary renal zygomycosis is an exceptionally rare fungal infection of the kidney.
  • Only 45 cases have been documented globally, with Mucor, Rhizomucor, Rhizopus, and Absidia species as common culprits.

Observation:

  • A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on corticosteroid therapy presented with urinary symptoms and urethral passage of masses.
  • Histopathology revealed broad, nonseptate hyphae consistent with zygomycosis.
  • The causative agent, Rhizopus oryzae, was successfully isolated from the patient's urethral mass.

Findings:

  • This report details a unique case of primary renal zygomycosis caused by Rhizopus oryzae.
  • The clinical presentation included urinary frequency, pain during urination (urodynia), and passage of urethral masses.
  • The diagnosis was confirmed through histopathological examination and fungal culture.

Implications:

  • This case expands the understanding of primary renal zygomycosis etiology, specifically implicating Rhizopus oryzae.
  • It underscores the importance of considering rare fungal infections in immunocompromised patients, particularly those with SLE.
  • Further research into the clinical spectrum and management of renal zygomycosis is warranted.

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