Inguinal abscess caused by Rhizopus rhizopodiformis: successful treatment with surgery and amphotericin B

Rhizopus rhizopodiformis has seldom been isolated from human mucormycosis. We report the first subcutaneous abscess to be caused by this fungus. It occurred in a diabetic man and presented as an inguinal mass, suggestive of a hernia, superficial to his cadaveric renal transplant. The fungus was readily isolated from pus inoculated onto blood and chocolate agars after a short incubation. The patient was cured by surgical drainage and treatment with 2.0 g of intravenous amphotericin B. Complete identification of such isolates is recommended.