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Changing epidemiology of an emerging infection: zygomycosis

J F Meis1, A Chakrabarti

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. j.meis@cwz.nl

Clinical Microbiology and Infection : the Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
|September 17, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Zygomycetes infections are rising in importance, potentially due to antifungal drug resistance. Apophysomyces elegans is an emerging fungal pathogen causing skin infections, particularly in subtropical regions.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Aspergillosis and candidosis are common opportunistic fungal infections in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Diseases caused by Zygomycetes are increasingly significant.
  • Exposure to certain antimycotic drugs may be a risk factor for zygomycosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the increasing importance of Zygomycetes as pathogens.
  • To identify potential risk factors for zygomycosis, such as exposure to specific antifungal drugs.
  • To describe the emergence of Apophysomyces elegans as a pathogen, particularly in subtropical regions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and analysis of epidemiological data on fungal infections.
  • Review of clinical case studies and reports on Zygomycetes and Apophysomyces elegans.
  • Analysis of the impact of antifungal drug resistance on the incidence of zygomycosis.

Main Results:

  • Zygomycetes infections are becoming more prevalent.
  • Antimycotic drugs lacking activity against Zygomycetes may contribute to increased zygomycosis incidence.
  • Apophysomyces elegans is an emerging pathogen causing cutaneous infections, especially after trauma in subtropical areas.

Conclusions:

  • The rise in zygomycosis incidence may be linked to antifungal treatment choices.
  • Apophysomyces elegans represents a growing concern for cutaneous infections in specific geographic areas.
  • Further research is needed to understand and manage Zygomycetes infections effectively.

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