Zygomycosis in the immunocompromised patient: a case report

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Hematology

Background:

• Zygomycosis is a severe, invasive fungal infection predominantly affecting immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with hematological malignancies.
• Sinus and lung involvement are common sites for zygomycosis, necessitating early diagnosis and effective treatment strategies.
• The emergence of novel diagnostic tools and antifungal therapies is crucial for managing mould infections.

Observation:

• A case of acute myeloid leukemia patient experiencing chemotherapy-induced bone marrow aplasia presented with sinusitis.
• The sinusitis was diagnosed as being caused by Absidia corymbifera, a type of mould.
• This opportunistic infection occurred during a period of profound immunosuppression.

Findings:

• The patient's Absidia corymbifera sinusitis was successfully managed through a combination of antifungal therapy and surgical intervention.
• Amphotericin B lipid complex (AmBisome) was utilized as the primary antifungal agent.
• Surgical debridement was performed to remove infected tissue.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering zygomycosis in immunocompromised patients presenting with sinusitis.
• Successful treatment with AmBisome and surgical debridement demonstrates a viable therapeutic approach for this aggressive infection.
• Further research into early diagnostic markers and targeted antifungal treatments for zygomycosis is warranted.