Mucormycosis: a rare fungal infection in tornado victims

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Trauma Surgery

Background:

• Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection caused by Mucorales, commonly found in soil and decaying matter.
• It can lead to severe soft tissue and cutaneous infections, often presenting days to weeks after injury.
• Immunocompetent individuals can develop mucormycosis following significant trauma, particularly from high-velocity debris implantation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review four cases of mucormycosis in immunocompetent patients following traumatic injuries from an EF-5 tornado.
• To highlight the diagnostic challenges and emphasize the critical need for a multidisciplinary treatment approach.
• To identify potential risk factors and contributing elements to mucormycosis development in trauma patients.

Main Methods:

• Case series review of four immunocompetent patients with mucormycosis post-tornado injury.
• Analysis of predisposing factors, time from injury to diagnosis, and treatment modalities.
• Detailed reporting of surgical interventions, antifungal therapies, and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

• Four cases of mucormycosis, specifically *Apophysomyces trapeziformis*, were identified in patients with severe traumatic injuries.
• Diagnosis was delayed in some cases due to the insidious onset of infection.
• Successful outcomes were achieved through aggressive surgical debridement and systemic antifungal therapy.

Conclusions:

• Mucormycosis should be considered in patients with high-velocity injuries from natural disasters or explosions, even if immunocompetent.
• A multidisciplinary approach combining aggressive antifungal treatment and surgical intervention is essential for managing this infection.
• Prompt recognition and management are critical for improving patient outcomes in post-traumatic mucormycosis.