Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 10, 2025
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Pulmonary and cutaneous mucormycosis in two children with diabetes mellitus type 1
Nosrat Ghaemi1, Sepide Bagheri1, Sara Shirdelzade2,3
1Medical School, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Objectives:
Mucormycosis is a life-threatening condition that can be present in diabetes mellitus. Although the rhino-orbito-cerebral form is the most common, other types may be developed as well.
Case Presentation:
The present study reports two children with diabetes who had the cutaneous and pulmonary forms of mucormycosis. The first case was a four-year-old boy without a history of diabetes admitted due to loss of consciousness and a necrotic lesion on his hand. The second was an 11-year-old boy with dyspnea, polyuria, and polydipsia who had developed diabetes two years before, and whose chest X-ray had shown a pulmonary lesion. Both cases were treated with surgical implementation and appropriate antifungal therapy.
Conclusions:
Mucormycosis is a fatal condition that can even be present at the onset of diabetes mellitus. Therefore, any diabetic patient with any presentation of respiratory symptoms such as coughs, or any cutaneous lesion should be examined carefully for mucormycosis after which prompt treatment must begin.
Insights
Mucormycosis, a dangerous fungal infection, can occur in patients with diabetes mellitus. Early detection and treatment of cutaneous or pulmonary mucormycosis in diabetic individuals are crucial for survival.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Mucormycosis is a severe fungal infection, often fatal, particularly in individuals with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.
- While rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis is most prevalent, other forms like cutaneous and pulmonary mucormycosis can also occur.
Observation:
- This study presents two pediatric cases of mucormycosis in patients with diabetes.
- Case 1: A 4-year-old boy presented with altered consciousness and a necrotic hand lesion, without prior diabetes history.
- Case 2: An 11-year-old boy with a 2-year history of diabetes experienced dyspnea and pulmonary lesions.
Findings:
- Both patients received surgical intervention and antifungal treatment.
- The cases highlight that mucormycosis can manifest at the initial presentation of diabetes mellitus.
Implications:
- Diabetic patients presenting with respiratory symptoms or skin lesions require thorough evaluation for mucormycosis.
- Prompt diagnosis and initiation of antifungal therapy are critical for improving outcomes in mucormycosis patients with diabetes.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
01:29Fungal Group Zygomycota
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia