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Extensive Oral Mucormycosis in a Transplanted Patient
Bernar Monteiro Benites1, Felipe Paiva Fonseca, Claudia Joffily Parahyba
1*Oral Medicine Department, Hospital Sírio-Libânes †Oral Diagnosis Department, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas ‡Hospital Sírio-Libânes §Bone Marrow Unit, Oncology Center, Hospital Sírio-Libânes, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract:
Mucormycosis is an invasive fungal disease caused by fungi from the Mucorales order that are found in the soil and decaying organic debris. Mucormycosis has been reported to be the third most common fungal disease in stem cell transplanted patients. The fungi have a tendency for vascular invasion, resulting in thrombi development, which decreases blood supply and leads to extensive tissue necrosis. Here, the authors present a patient of mucormycosis affecting the soft palate, oropharynx, and hypopharynx in a type II diabetic male patient who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation, and the authors further review the literature on oral mucormycosis for the last 10 years.
Insights
Mucormycosis, a serious fungal infection, is the third most common disease in stem cell transplant patients. This case highlights oral mucormycosis in a diabetic patient post-transplant, emphasizing vascular invasion and tissue death.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
Background:
- Mucormycosis is an invasive fungal infection caused by Mucorales fungi.
- It is the third most common fungal disease in stem cell transplanted patients.
- Fungal vascular invasion leads to thrombosis, reduced blood supply, and tissue necrosis.
Observation:
- A case of mucormycosis affecting the soft palate, oropharynx, and hypopharynx is presented.
- The affected patient was a type II diabetic male who had undergone allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
Findings:
- The study details a rare presentation of oral mucormycosis in an immunocompromised patient.
- The review covers the last 10 years of literature on oral mucormycosis.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis and management of oral mucormycosis are crucial in immunocompromised patients, especially those with diabetes and post-stem cell transplant.
- Understanding the predilection for vascular invasion is key to preventing severe complications like tissue necrosis.
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