Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in a Mouse
06:41

Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in a Mouse

Published on: October 24, 2018

Renal mucormycosis complicating extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Pierre Charles1, Jean-Emmanuel Kahn, Felix Ackermann

  • 1Hôpital Foch, Service de Médecine Interne, Suresnes, France. pierredecristal@hotmail.com

Medical Mycology
|May 17, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Disseminated zygomycosis, a severe fungal infection, can complicate procedures like extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in immunocompromised patients. Early antifungal treatment, including liposomal amphotericin B and posaconazole, can lead to favorable outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Zygomycosis poses a severe threat, especially to immunocompromised individuals, often presenting as nosocomial infections.
  • Invasive procedures, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), can lead to serious complications, including fungal superinfections.
  • This case highlights zygomycosis in a patient with unclassified inflammatory rheumatism undergoing ECMO post-tuberculous tamponade drainage.

Observation:

  • A 65-year-old woman developed a superinfection of the scarpa following ECMO.
  • The superinfection revealed disseminated zygomycosis with significant renal involvement.
  • The patient had a history of unclassified inflammatory rheumatism.

Findings:

  • Disseminated zygomycosis was diagnosed and treated with a prolonged antifungal regimen.
  • Treatment involved liposomal amphotericin B followed by posaconazole, with careful therapeutic drug monitoring.
  • A favorable clinical outcome was achieved after 15 months of antifungal therapy.

Implications:

  • Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is associated with a risk of severe nosocomial fungal infections like zygomycosis.
  • Aggressive and prolonged antifungal therapy, utilizing newer agents and close monitoring, is crucial for managing such severe infections.
  • This case underscores the importance of vigilance for fungal infections in critically ill patients undergoing invasive procedures.

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
Acute Respiratory Failure-III01:30

Acute Respiratory Failure-III

Hypercapnic respiratory failure, also known as Type 2 or ventilatory respiratory failure, is a severe condition characterized by the body's inability to effectively remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the bloodstream. It leads to an arterial CO2 pressure (PaCO2) exceeding 45 mmHg and a blood pH above 7.35. This situation indicates that the body's ventilatory demand, or the ventilation needed to maintain normal PaCO2 levels, surpasses its supply or the maximum gas flow achievable without causing...
Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Hemoperfusion and Hemofiltration01:25

Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Hemoperfusion and Hemofiltration

Hemoperfusion and hemofiltration are critical techniques in medical treatments to eliminate accumulated drugs, metabolites, and electrolytes from the bloodstream. These methods are particularly vital in cases of accidental poisoning and drug overdose.Hemoperfusion involves passing blood through an adsorbent material to remove unwanted substances. The main adsorbents used in hemoperfusion include activated charcoal and Amberlite resins. Activated charcoal can adsorb both polar and nonpolar...
Acute Respiratory Failure-II01:21

Acute Respiratory Failure-II

Type I Respiratory Failure, or hypoxemic respiratory failure, occurs when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in arterial blood falls below 60 mmHg while breathing room air without a corresponding increase in arterial carbon dioxide levels (PaCO2). This condition highlights a significant impairment in the lungs' capacity to oxygenate the blood.
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis01:30

Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or those experiencing drug overdose often require extracorporeal methods to eliminate accumulated drugs and metabolites. Hemoperfusion, hemofiltration, and dialysis are the primary techniques to rapidly remove harmful substances without disrupting the patient's fluid and electrolyte balance. For those with compromised renal function, dosage adjustments of concurrent medications may be necessary during extracorporeal drug removal.Dialysis is a process...
Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy01:26

Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) is an essential intervention for patients experiencing severe kidney dysfunction. This therapy offers a continuous mechanism for removing fluids and toxins from the bloodstream, leveraging the patient’s blood pressure to facilitate filtration through a specialized filter. This method contrasts with intermittent dialysis, providing a gentler and more consistent removal of waste products and excess fluid, which is particularly beneficial in critically...