Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Deciphering and Imaging Pathogenesis and Cording of Mycobacterium abscessus in Zebrafish Embryos
10:38

Deciphering and Imaging Pathogenesis and Cording of Mycobacterium abscessus in Zebrafish Embryos

Published on: September 9, 2015

From traumatic necrotizing fasciitis to central nervous system involvement: Expanding the clinical spectrum of

S Kataria1, N Vyas, S K Kumar

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Mahatma Gandhi University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.

Journal of Postgraduate Medicine
|August 19, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Apophysomyces fungi can cause severe infections, including necrotizing fasciitis and rare central nervous system disease. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing these dangerous fungal infections.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Apophysomyces are thermotolerant filamentous fungi causing severe, often fatal, invasive infections.
  • Classically, Apophysomyces causes post-traumatic necrotizing soft-tissue infections in immunocompetent hosts.
  • Central nervous system involvement is rare, typically seen in immunocompromised individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a case series highlighting two distinct clinical presentations of Apophysomyces infection.
  • To underscore the broad clinical spectrum and diagnostic challenges of Apophysomyces infections.
  • To emphasize the importance of early recognition and prompt management.

Main Methods:

  • Case series presentation.
  • Review of clinical presentations including post-traumatic necrotizing fasciitis and neurological infection.
  • Discussion of diagnostic methods: fungal culture, histopathology, and molecular techniques.

Main Results:

  • The study juxtaposes post-traumatic necrotizing fasciitis and neurological infection in a cancer patient.
  • Highlights the diagnostic challenges associated with Apophysomyces infections.
  • Reinforces the reliance on culture and histopathology, complemented by molecular methods.

Conclusions:

  • Apophysomyces infections present a broad clinical spectrum, from soft-tissue to neurological disease.
  • Timely diagnosis through microbiological and histopathological methods is critical.
  • Prompt antifungal therapy and surgical intervention are essential for effective management.
Keywords:
Mucoralesimmunocompetent

Related Concept Videos

Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...