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Fatal fungal infection: the living dead

Sankar Narayanan Ml1, C D Narayanan2, Anupma J Kindo3

  • 1Department of General Surgery, SRMC, Chennai, India shanki_vl87@yahoo.co.in.

Journal of Surgical Case Reports
|October 30, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection, can be complicated by fungal infections like mucormycosis. This case highlights a fatal outcome in a diabetic patient due to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mycology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe bacterial infection, often caused by Streptococcus pyogenes.
  • Fungal infections can complicate bacterial necrotizing fasciitis, though rarely.
  • Diabetes mellitus is a known risk factor for invasive fungal infections.

Observation:

  • A young diabetic female presented with necrotizing fasciitis affecting the upper limbs, head, and neck.
  • The bacterial infection was unexpectedly complicated by mucormycosis, a rare fungal pathogen.
  • Diagnosis and treatment of the fungal coinfection were delayed.

Findings:

  • The case demonstrated a rare progression of necrotizing fasciitis complicated by fatal mucormycosis.
  • Delayed diagnosis and treatment of the fungal infection contributed to the fatal outcome.
  • The clinical presentation in the upper limbs, head, and neck was unusual for this complication.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of considering fungal coinfections in severe bacterial infections, especially in immunocompromised patients.
  • Emphasizes the critical need for prompt diagnosis and multidisciplinary management of necrotizing fasciitis and its complications.
  • Underscores the potential severity of mucormycosis in diabetic patients, necessitating increased clinical vigilance.

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