Mucormycosis

Mucormycosis is a fungal infection caused by molds (mucormycetes). These fungi are present in soil and in decaying organic matter e.g., compost, rotten woods, dungs etc. Spores of these fungi are present throughout in the environment. When any person with health issues (e.g., diabetes etc.) and weak immunity come in contact with fungal spores they get mucormycosis.

Types of mucormycosis

1.    Rhinocerebral (sinus and brain) mucormycosis: this infection spread to the brain from sinuses and most common in persons with uncontrolled diabetes and in persons who have had a kidney transplant.

Symptoms- One-sided facial swelling, headache, nasal or sinus congestion, black lesions on nasal bridge or upper inside of mouth that quickly become more severe, fever.

2.     Pulmonary (lung) mucormycosis: this is the most common infection in cancer patient and in person who have had organ transplant. 

Symptoms- Fever, Cough, Chest pain, shortness of breath.

3.   Gastrointestinal mucormycosis: this infection is common in lower age group people who have weak immunity.

Symptoms- Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding.

4.   Cutaneous (skin) mucormycosis: spores enter in the body through skin. When any break in the skin occurs (by injury etc.) spores of fungi get entered in the body through broken skin.

Symptoms- Blisters or ulcers, infected area may turn black, pain excessive redness, swelling around the wound.

5.   Disseminated mucormycosis: in this infection spores transport through bloodstream to different organs. Brain is the commonly affected part; it can also affect spleen and heart.

Symptoms- Mental status changes, coma.

Causative agent:

Rhizopus species, Mucor species, Rhizomucor species, Syncephalastrum species, Cunninghamella bertholletiae, Apophysomyces species, and Lichtheimia (formerly Absidia) species.

Treatment

Mucormycosis is treated by antifungal medicine like amphotericin B (intravenous), posaconazole (intravenous/oral), or isavuconazole (intravenous/oral). Often, mucormycosis needed surgery to remove the infected part.