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Post-traumatic and post-surgical Absidia corymbifera infection in a young, healthy man

William H C Tiong1, T Ismael, J McCann

  • 1Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, University College Hospital Galway, Ireland. willhct@yahoo.com

Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery : JPRAS
|November 23, 2006
PubMed

Insights

A rare Absidia corymbifera fungal infection occurred in a healthy patient after leg amputation. Aggressive treatment, including a second amputation and liposomal amphotericin B, was necessary for cure.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Absidia corymbifera infections are rare in healthy individuals, typically affecting immunocompromised or diabetic patients.
  • Cutaneous and subcutaneous mucormycosis are increasingly reported following severe trauma with contaminated wounds.

Observation:

  • A case of cutaneous mucormycosis is presented in a young, healthy patient post-surgical amputation for a leg crush injury.
  • The infection persisted despite an initial life-saving amputation.

Findings:

  • A second amputation combined with parenteral liposomal amphotericin B was required for successful eradication of Absidia corymbifera.
  • High clinical suspicion is crucial for diagnosing and treating fungal infections, especially amidst rising methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) concerns.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the potential for severe fungal infections in seemingly healthy individuals after significant trauma.
  • It highlights the importance of considering mucormycosis in post-traumatic wound infections and the need for potentially aggressive, multi-modal treatment strategies.

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