Wound zygomycosis (mucormycosis) in otherwise healthy adults

Two previously healthy men sustained trauma that caused extensive soft tissue damage together with soil contamination. Within three days, rapidly advancing necrosis was observed at the wound margins. Histologic examination revealed the presence of non-septate branching hyphae characteristic of Mucorales within tissues and in the lumen of blood vessels. In one case, the disease was unrecognized until widespread dissemination had taken place, and the patient died; in the other, a cure resulted from aggressive medical and surgical management. Infections due to Mucorales generally occur in immune-compromised hosts. In cases of extensive trauma, inoculation of devitalized tissues with soil may initiate infection by zygomycetes, even in persons whose immunologic status appears to be normal.