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Nosocomical Rhizopus infection (zygomycosis) in children
Insights
Zygomycosis, a rare fungal infection, can affect compromised children. Early diagnosis and treatment with surgery and chemotherapy can cure zygomycosis, even when caused by Rhizopus oryzae from contaminated elastic bandages.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Medical Microbiology
Background:
- Zygomycosis is a rare, severe fungal infection.
- Compromised hosts, including neonates and children with leukemia, are at high risk.
- Elastic bandages have been implicated as fomites in previous outbreaks.
Observation:
- Three pediatric cases of zygomycosis are presented.
- Two cases involved gangrenous cellulitis of the buttocks.
- One neonate presented with gastric perforation and gangrenous appendicitis.
Findings:
- Rhizopus oryzae was identified as the causative agent in all three patients.
- The infection was traced to contaminated elastic bandages (Elastoplast).
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has received similar reports.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis is crucial for successful treatment of zygomycosis.
- A combined surgical and chemotherapeutic approach is effective in curing the infection.
- Contaminated medical supplies pose a significant risk in immunocompromised pediatric populations.
Abstract:
Three children with the rare occurrence of zygomycosis are descibed: two had involvement of a solitary lesion of gangrenous cellulitis on the buttocks, and th third was a neonate with gastric performation and a gangrenous appendicitis. All three patients were compromised hosts (two with leukemia and one a premature infant with respiratory distress syndrome). All three patients appeared to have acquired the same organism. Rhizopus oryzae, from the same fomites, elastic bondages (Elastoplast). The Center for Disease Control has received several other reports of zygomycosis traceable to the same material. Alll three of our patients were cured of their infections. Early diagnosis and a combined surgical and chemotherapeutic approach appear to prevent death from zygomycosis.