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Zygomycotic necrotizing fasciitis caused by Apophysomyces elegans
V Lakshmi1, T S Rani, S Sharma
1Department of Microbiology, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|May 1, 1993
Summary
A rare fungal infection, necrotizing fasciitis caused by Apophysomyces elegans, occurred in a healthy male after hernia surgery. The aggressive infection resisted standard treatments like debridement and amphotericin B.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe soft tissue infection.
- Zygomycetes are a class of fungi that can cause opportunistic infections.
Observation:
- A case of necrotizing fasciitis of the anterior abdominal wall is presented.
- The infection was caused by the zygomycete Apophysomyces elegans in a healthy male post-inguinal herniorrhaphy.
- The likely route of fungal entry was contaminated surgical materials.
Findings:
- Microscopic examination revealed broad, aseptate fungal hyphae in necrosed tissues.
- Necrotizing vasculitis was associated with the fungal invasion.
- Aggressive fungal proliferation rapidly invaded tissues.
Implications:
- Standard treatments including extensive tissue debridement and amphotericin B were ineffective.
- This case highlights the potential for Apophysomyces elegans to cause severe infections in surgical wounds.
- Further research into effective treatments for Apophysomyces elegans infections is warranted.