Mucormycosis. Report of 11 cases

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pathology

Background:

• Mucormycosis is a rare but aggressive fungal infection.
• It primarily affects immunocompromised individuals, including those with diabetes mellitus and acute leukemia.
• Common clinical presentations include rhinocerebral, pulmonary, disseminated, and intestinal forms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of 11 mucormycosis cases.
• To highlight the association between underlying conditions and specific clinical forms.
• To emphasize the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment for patient survival.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series analysis of 11 patients diagnosed with mucormycosis.
• Diagnosis confirmed via histologic examination and tissue culture from biopsies.
• Postmortem examination for two cases.

Main Results:

• Eleven cases of mucormycosis were identified between 1970 and the report date.
• Nine patients had underlying diabetes mellitus, with eight presenting rhinocerebral mucormycosis.
• Two patients with acute leukemia developed disseminated and pulmonary mucormycosis.
• Five out of eleven patients survived the infection.

Conclusions:

• Early diagnosis and prompt, appropriate medical and surgical interventions are critical for improving survival in mucormycosis.
• Recognizing the diverse clinical presentations based on underlying conditions is essential for effective management.
• Mucormycosis remains a significant challenge, necessitating aggressive therapeutic strategies.