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Invasive Mucormycosis in a Case of Aluminium Phosphide Poisoning

Nitin Gupta1, Gagandeep Singh2, Karan Aggarwal3

  • 1Senior Resident, Department of Medicine and Microbiology, Infectious Disease Division, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India.

Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research : JCDR
|June 3, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Aluminium Phosphide poisoning can lead to mucormycosis, even in immunocompetent individuals. This case highlights metabolic acidosis, acute kidney injury, and free radical damage as potential contributing factors.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Toxicology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Mucormycosis is a severe fungal infection with high mortality, primarily affecting immunocompromised patients.
  • Rhino-orbital mucormycosis, caused by fungi like Lichtheimia corymbifera, presents a significant clinical challenge.

Observation:

  • A rare case of rhino-orbital mucormycosis caused by Lichtheimia corymbifera occurred in an immunocompetent individual.
  • The patient had a history of consuming Aluminium Phosphide (ALP) tablets, a common pesticide.

Findings:

  • ALP poisoning was postulated to increase mucormycosis risk through metabolic acidosis.
  • Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) resulting from ALP exposure was identified as a contributing factor.
  • The generation of free oxygen radicals due to ALP poisoning was also implicated in enhancing susceptibility to mucormycosis.

Implications:

  • This case expands the understanding of mucormycosis risk factors beyond traditional immunocompromised states.
  • It suggests a potential link between ALP poisoning and opportunistic fungal infections.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms and clinical management strategies.
Keywords:
Invasive fungal infectionsLichtheimia corymbiferaPesticide poisoning

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