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Pulmonary zygomycosis: A clinicopathological study

Sundaram Challa1, Shantveer G Uppin, Megha S Uppin

  • 1Department of Pathology, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Lung India : Official Organ of Indian Chest Society
|June 10, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Pulmonary zygomycosis (PZ) is a rare fungal infection. Diabetes mellitus is the most common risk factor for PZ, leading to high mortality rates in affected patients.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Zygomycosis, a fungal infection, is increasingly recognized globally.
  • Pulmonary zygomycosis (PZ) is a rare manifestation, with limited case series reported from India.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and outcomes of pulmonary zygomycosis in India.
  • To identify predisposing factors and associated mortality of PZ.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of histopathologically diagnosed PZ cases from 1995-2008.
  • Review of clinical, imaging, pathological, and microbiological data.
  • Assessment of treatment and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Seven PZ cases were identified (6 males, 1 female); 6 had diabetes mellitus (DM), 1 had Hodgkin's lymphoma. Common symptoms included fever and cough.
  • Radiological findings showed consolidation (with/without cavitation) or lung abscess. DM patients often had upper lobe, multiple lesions.
  • Histopathology revealed necrotizing inflammation, hemorrhage, and angioinvasion. Rhizopus oryzae was identified in two cultures. Five patients died, two were lost to follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • Diabetes mellitus is the primary predisposing factor for pulmonary zygomycosis.
  • Pulmonary zygomycosis is associated with a high mortality rate.
Keywords:
Diabetes mellituslungpathologyzygomycosis

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