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Thoracic mucormycosis in immunocompetent patients
Karthik Panchanatheeswaran1, Duvuru Ram2, Sreevathsa Prasad3
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Velammal Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, Madurai, India.
Journal of Cardiac Surgery
|January 20, 2021
Summary
Mucormycosis, a rare fungal infection, can affect immunocompetent individuals. Early surgical and antifungal treatment is crucial for survival in thoracic mucormycosis cases.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Mucormycosis is a rare but often fatal invasive fungal infection.
- It typically affects immunocompromised individuals, but can occur in immunocompetent hosts.
Observation:
- Two cases of thoracic mucormycosis in immunocompetent patients are presented.
- Case 1: An immunocompetent child with a mediastinal mass extending into the pericardium and left atrium.
- Case 2: A young woman with a left pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm.
Findings:
- The first patient with thoracic mucormycosis could not be salvaged.
- The second patient achieved successful management through surgical intervention and systemic antifungal therapy.
Implications:
- Thoracic mucormycosis should be considered in immunocompetent patients presenting with pyrexia of unknown origin and mediastinal masses.
- Prompt surgical debridement combined with systemic antifungal treatment can significantly improve survival rates in these patients.
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