Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 17, 2025
An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Published on: July 1, 2020
The Statewide Epidemiology of Mucormycosis Among Trauma Patients in Florida
Jason Michael Clark1,2,3, Huazhi Liu2,3, Susan Collins2,3
1Department of Surgery, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
Objectives:
Mucormycosis is a rare angioinvasive infection caused by filamentous fungi with a high lethality among the immunocompromised. In healthy people, the innate immune system is sufficient to prevent infection. The exception to this is deep tissue exposure seen during trauma. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the epidemiology of mucormycosis using a statewide population-based data set.
Methods:
This is a retrospective cohort study of all hospital admissions for mucormycosis within the state of Florida from 1997 through the beginning of 2020. A distribution map was created to evaluate for geographic variation. Botanical growth zones, based on plant hardiness, used by state environmental agencies and landscapers were also used to detect possible patterns based on climate conditions throughout Florida. A multivariable regression analysis was performed to account for confounders and limit bias.
Results:
A total of 1190 patients were identified for mucormycosis infection. Only 86 of these patients were admitted for trauma. Cutaneous infections were more prevalent among trauma patients while non-trauma patients had more pulmonary infections (P = .04). Trauma patients with infection tended to be younger and less likely to suffer from comorbidities such as immunosuppression (36% vs 46%, P = .07) and diabetes (22.1% vs 47.1%, P ≤ .0001) as compared to their non-trauma counterparts. Mortality was similar with 17.8% for non-trauma patients and 15.1% for traumatized patients (AOR .80 [.42, 1.52]). Length of stay was longer for trauma patients (37.3 vs 23.0, P < .0001). Infections were less prominent in plant hardiness Zone 9 and Zone 10 as compared to Zone 8 (AOR .71 [.61, .82]; AOR .54 [.46, .64], respectively).
Conclusion:
Trauma patients who develop infection from mucormycosis are at high risk of death despite being a younger and healthier population. Mucormycosis infections were primarily soft tissue based among trauma patients. These infections are more prevalent in colder regions within Florida.
Insights
Trauma patients with mucormycosis face high mortality despite being younger and healthier. These fungal infections, primarily soft tissue-based, are more common in colder Florida regions.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Mycology
Background:
- Mucormycosis is a rare, highly lethal fungal infection affecting immunocompromised individuals.
- The innate immune system typically prevents infection in healthy individuals, except in cases of deep tissue exposure from trauma.
- Understanding the epidemiology of mucormycosis is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the epidemiology of mucormycosis in Florida using a statewide population-based dataset.
- To identify geographic variations and potential climate-related patterns of mucormycosis.
- To compare characteristics and outcomes of mucormycosis in trauma versus non-trauma patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of hospital admissions for mucormycosis (1997-2020) in Florida.
- Geographic distribution mapping and analysis based on botanical growth zones.
- Multivariable regression analysis to control for confounders and bias.
Main Results:
- 1190 mucormycosis cases identified; 86 were trauma-related.
- Trauma patients had more cutaneous infections, were younger, and had fewer comorbidities than non-trauma patients.
- Mortality rates were similar, but trauma patients had longer hospital stays. Infections were less common in warmer climate zones (9 and 10).
Conclusions:
- Trauma-associated mucormycosis carries a high risk of mortality, even in younger, healthier individuals.
- Mucormycosis in trauma patients predominantly affects soft tissues.
- Infections show higher prevalence in cooler regions of Florida, suggesting a climate influence.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Fungal Group Zygomycota
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia