[Erysipelas of the face revealing a mucormycosis]

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fungal infection, typically affecting immunocompromised patients. Rhino-orbital location is the most frequent form with cerebral blood vessels invasion and a fatal outcome.

An immunocompetent 38-year-old woman, with previous history of primary cutaneous mucormycosis, was admitted for a febrile erythemato-oedematous lesion of the face with well-demarcated edge evoking erysipelas. No cutaneous portal of entry was identified. Oral cavity examination found an ulceronecrotic lesion of the hard palate. Diagnosis of mucormycosis was retained after nasal endoscopy and histological findings. The patient was first treated for erysipelas, then by ascending dose of intravenous amphotericin B. A good outcome was observed despite the occurrence of nephrotoxicity which normalized by alkaline hyperhydratation. Healing was obtained after 1month of effective dose leaving cleft palate sequelae.

Mucormycosis occurs rarely in immunocompetent, even more if it is a second episode. Affecting the face, it may simulate or be revealed by superficial skin infection. Within that, a meticulous otorhinolaryngeal examination is required when the portal of entry is not obvious.