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Bowel infarction due to intestinal mucormycosis in an immunocompetent patient

Han Lim Choi1, Yoon Mi Shin, Ki Man Lee

  • 1Department of Surgery, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Cheongju, Korea.

Journal of the Korean Surgical Society
|November 21, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Gastrointestinal mucormycosis is a rare but fatal fungal infection. This case highlights its extreme mortality even in immunocompetent patients, leading to bowel infarction.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Mucormycosis is a severe opportunistic fungal infection, primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals.
  • Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is the most common form, while gastrointestinal mucormycosis carries a high mortality rate.
  • Gastrointestinal mucormycosis in immunocompetent hosts is exceptionally rare.

Observation:

  • A male patient, with no prior underlying health conditions, developed severe pneumonia and septic shock.
  • The patient required mechanical ventilatory support for critical illness.
  • Intestinal mucormycosis was diagnosed as the cause of bowel infarction.

Findings:

  • The patient experienced bowel infarction secondary to intestinal mucormycosis.
  • Despite being immunocompetent, the fungal infection proved fatal.
  • This case underscores the potential lethality of mucormycosis regardless of immune status.

Implications:

  • Highlights the aggressive nature and high mortality of gastrointestinal mucormycosis, even in immunocompetent individuals.
  • Suggests a need for increased clinical suspicion for mucormycosis in critically ill patients presenting with gastrointestinal complications.
  • Emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of mucormycosis to improve patient outcomes.
Keywords:
BowelImmunocompetenceInfarctionMucormycosis

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