Riesgo de mortalidad en infecciones invasivas por Mucor SPP. en niños con enfermedades hemato-oncológicas: revisión sistemática / Mortality risk of invasive Mucor spp. infections in children with cancer: A systematic review

Los estudios sobre la infección fúngica invasiva (IFI) por Mucor spp. en pacientes pediátricos con patología hematooncológica, son de baja solidez científica, lo que dificulta conocer en profundidad sus características y evolución. Con el objetivo de analizar la evolución fatal de esos pacientes, se llevó a cabo esta revisión sistemática (RS). Material y métodos: La búsqueda bibliográfica se realizó con fecha 23 de marzo de 2023, en las principales bases de datos (Medline (a través de Pubmed), Embase (a través de Embase-Elsevier), The Cochrane Library (a través de Wiley), Cinahl (a través de Ebsco HOST), SCI-EXPANDED, SciELO (a través de la WOS) y Scopus (a través de Scopus-Elsevier), libre (mediante el motor Google) y revisando las citas de los artículos incluidos. Resultados: Se rescataron 1393 artículos, de los cuales se descartaron 1386 por diversas razones. Mediante el análisis de los textos completos, finalmente se incluyeron 7 estudios. Todos los estudios eran series de casos (nivel 4). La mediana de la frecuencia de muerte observada fue de 36,6% (Q1 20% - Q347%). Conclusiones: Esta RS mostró en niños con patología hemato-oncológica, que la mortalidad por IFI por Mucor spp. alcanzó a casi un tercio de los pacientes (AU)

Studies on invasive fungal infection (IFI) by Mucor spp. in pediatric patients with cancer have a low level of evidence, which makes it difficult to elucidate its characteristics and progression. To analyze the fatal outcome of these patients, this systematic review (SR) was conducted. Material and methods: A literature search was carried out on March 23, 2023, in the following main databases (Medline (via Pubmed), Embase (via Embase-Elsevier), The Cochrane Library (via Wiley), Cinahl (via Ebsco HOST), SCI-EXPANDED, SciELO (via the WOS) and Scopus (via Scopus-Elsevier). Additionally, a complementary search was carried out using free search engines (such as Google) and by reviewing the references of the included articles. Results: A total of 1393 articles were retrieved, of which 1386 were excluded for various reasons. After a thorough analysis of the full-text articles, 7 studies were ultimately included in the review. All studies were case series (level 4). The median observed death rate was 36.6% (IQR, 20% - 47%). Conclusions: This SR showed that in children with hematological-oncological disease, mortality due to IFI by Mucor spp. affected almost one third of the patients (AU)

Expert consensus on diagnosis and management of mucormycosis in China / 中华内科杂志

Mucormycosis is an important invasive fungal disease that is difficult to diagnose and treat, and has a high mortality rate. To improve the diagnosis and treatment of mucormycosis by clinicians, the Medical Mycology Society of Chinese Medicine and Education Association engaged multidisciplinary experts to compile this expert consensus. This consensus refers to the latest international guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of mucormycosis, combined with the characteristics and treatment needs of mucormycosis in China and covers the following eight aspects to provide reference for Chinese clinicians: pathogenic agents, high-risk factors, clinical types, imaging manifestations, etiological diagnosis, clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Mucormicosis periostomal posoperatoria, a propósito de un caso / Mucormycosis periostomal: case report

Resumen Introducción: La mucormicosis en una enfermedad infrecuente y oportunista que afecta, principalmente, a pacientes inmunocomprometidos. Pocas veces se han reportado casos de afectación periostomal. Clínicamente puede ser confundida con otras patologías, pudiendo tener una evolución fulminante, por lo que un adecuado y pronto diagnóstico son necesarios para una instauración precoz del tratamiento. Caso Clínico: Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 62 años inmunocomprometida, que tras complicaciones quirúrgicas evoluciona con mucormicosis periostomal de la pared abdominal. A pesar de un tratamiento quirúrgico con múltiples resecciones de tejido asociado a antifúngico local y sistémico, la paciente fallece, concordante a la letalidad expresada en la literatura.

Introduction: Mucormycosis is a rare and opportunistic disease that mainly affects immunocompromised patients. Few cases of peristomal involvement have been reported. Clinically it can be confused with other pathologies and may have a fulminant evolution, so an adequate and prompt diagnosis is necessary for an early establishment of treatment. Clinical Case: We present the case of a 62-year-old immunocompromised patient who, after surgical complications, evolves with periostomal mucormycosis of the abdominal wall. Despite surgical treatment with multiple tissue resections, associated with local and systemic antifungal agents, the patient died, consistent with the lethality expressed in the literature.

Mucormicosis asociada a COVID-19: revisión de la literatura para odontólogos / COVID-19 associated mucormycosis: a literature review for dentists

La mucormicosis es una infección fúngica rara, con alta morbilidad y mortalidad. Se presenta principalmente en pa- cientes con diabetes mellitus no controlada, inmunocompro- metidos, con tratamiento crónicos con esteroides, entre otros. Actualmente, se cree que la pandemia de COVID-19 y los tratamientos con corticosteroides podrían estar implicados en el aumento de casos de esta micosis. Este hongo invade el sistema vascular, ocluyendo el flujo sanguíneo arterial y generando una rápida trombosis e isque- mia, lo que provoca la necrosis de los tejidos duros y blandos, con invasión rápida a los tejidos circundantes. Hay varias formas clínicas. En la cavidad bucal se presenta la variante rino-orbito-cerebral, que afecta el paladar en forma de lesión eritematosa o grisácea que puede progresar hacia la formación de una masa necrótica o ulceración con muy escaso sangrado de mucosa. Se manifiesta con síntomas típicos de una rinosinusitis con fiebre y dolor en las piezas dentarias superiores. El tratamiento consta de tres pilares fundamentales: el diagnóstico, un manejo adecuado de las comorbilidades y la combinación de las terapias antifúngica y quirúrgica. Desde el año 2020, la mucormicosis asociada a COVID-19 pasó a ser un evento de notificación obligatoria inmediata al Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia de la Salud (SNVS2.0) me- diante el Sistema Integrado de Información Sanitaria Argen- tina (SISA). Es importante destacar que se han reportado casos de mu- cormicosis luego de extracciones dentales; lo que impulsa a afianzar los conocimientos sobre esta enfermedad, extremar las medidas preventivas e incentivar el diagnóstico precoz en la atención odontológica, debido a la rapidez en la evolución de la patología (AU))

Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection, with high mor- bidity and mortality. It occurs mainly in patients with uncon- trolled diabetes mellitus, immunocompromised, on chronic treatment with steroids, among others. Currently, it is believed that the COVID-19 pandemic and the corticosteroid treatments could be one of the causes of increased cases. This fungus invades the vascular system, occluding arteri- al blood flow and generating rapid thrombosis and ischemia, which causes necrosis of hard and soft tissues, with rapid in- vasion to the surrounding tissues. There are several clinical forms. In the oral cavity, the rhino-orbito-cerebral variant presents itself affecting the pal- ate in the form of an erythematous or grayish lesion that can progress towards the formation of a necrotic mass or ulcera- tion with very little mucosal bleeding. It manifests itself with typical symptoms of rhinosinusitis, with fever and pain in the upper teeth. The treatment consists of three fundamental pillars: diag- nosis, proper management of comorbidities and the combina- tion of antifungal and surgical therapies. Since 2020, COVID-19 associated mucormycosis became an event of mandatory immediate notification to the National Health Surveillance System (SNVS2.0,) through the Argentina Integrated Health Information System (SISA). It is important to emphasize that mucormycosis cases had been reported following tooth extractions, which drives to strengthen knowledge about this disease, extreme preventive measures and encourage early diagnosis in dental care, due to the speed of the evolution of the pathology (AU))

Clinical analysis of 3 cases of mucormycosis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and literature review / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical features, diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia complicated with mucormycosis, and to improve the understanding of the disease. Methods: The clinical data of 3 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) complicated with mucormycosis treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between October 2020 and January 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Literature search and review covered the China national knowledge infrastructure, Wanfang database and Pubmed using the keywords of "acute lymphoblastic leukemia" and "mucormycosis" up to June 2021. Results: Case 1, a 12-year-old boy, was diagnosed with ALL, developed fever and chest pain during induction therapy. The Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) testing of alveolar perfusion fluid suggested infection with Rhizopus oryzae. Amphotericin B combined with posaconazole was applied and amphotericin B was removed after improvement. Bone destruction was indicated by CT. Amphotericin B was applied again. Case 2, a 4-year-old boy, with a history of pallor and tetter, was diagnosed with ALL. He developed cough and fever during induction therapy. mNGS of blood suggested infection with Rhizomucor pusillus. Amphotericin B combined with voriconazole was applied, but the situation was not significantly improved. The disseminated infection occurred. Amphotericin B combined with posaconazole was applied and vacuum sealing drainage was performed. Case 3, a 2-year-old girl, was diagnosed with ALL, developed fever and cough during induction therapy. Rhizomucor pusillus was indicated by mNGS. Amphotericin B combined with posaconazole was used, and posaconazole was stopped after improvement. Follow-up until June 2021, the condition of the 3 children improved. There was no recurrent Mucor infection, and the primary hematopathy was in complete remission. According to the literature, 7 reports were found in Chinese journals, while 17 reports were found in English literature, 25 cases have been reported. Among a total of 28 children, 11 cases rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis, four pulmonary mucormycosis, 2 cutaneous mucormycosis, 2 gastrointestinal mucormycosis and 9 disseminated mucormycosis. There were 17 cases developed infection during induction chemotherapy, 8 cases during maintenance therapy, 3 cases after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Voriconazole was used in 15 cases; 19 cases were treated with combined surgery, 7 cases were treated with drugs only, 2 cases were untreated; 21 cases showed improvement after treatment. Death occurred in seven cases. Conclusions: ALL complicated with mucormycosis often occurs in the stage of induction therapy. The clinical features lacked specificity, mNGS can help find the pathogen and provide evidence for diagnosis. Surgical treatment also could be combined when necessary, which is helpful to improve the prognosis.

Corticosteroid therapy associated with COVID-19: an ally or a risk factor for the establishment of secondary fungal co-infections?

Corticosteroid therapy to combat inflammation caused by SARS-CoV-2 seems to be a risk factor for developing secondary fungal co-infections. PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were searched, with the following word groups: [(aspergillosis OR mucormycosis OR candidiasis) AND (coronavirus disease) AND (corticoids). The selected articles present the main risk factors related to the establishment of secondary fungal co-infections in COVID-19 patients. Corticosteroid therapy used to combat inflammation caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to be strongly associated with the establishment of mucormycosis and aspergillosis. Mucormycosis has been the main fungal co-infection related to corticosteroid therapy, causing a high number of deaths in COVID-19 patients. Diabetes mellitus was the most prevalent comorbidity, especially for the establishment of mucormycosis. Dexamethasone use seems to be associated with mucormycosis emergence and death. However, aspergillosis showed a greater relationship with patient recovery. Thus, risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, combined with corticosteroid use, have shown a relationship to the establishment of mucormycosis. The corticosteroids used in COVID-19 patients should be individually analyzed, considering the patient's medical history and the risk/benefit ratio of the use of these drugs.

Clinical Features and Prognosis of Patients with Hematological Disease Complicated with Mucor Infection / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of patients with hematological diseases complicated with mucor infection.@*METHODS@#The risk factors, clinical features, treatment regimen and prognosis of 18 hematological disease patients with mucor infection diagnosed by histopathology in our center from April 2014 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Thirteen males and five females, with an average age of 30 (13－54) years old, were diagnosed as mucor infection by histopathological examination at the site of infection, including 16 cases of mucor infection alone and 2 cases of mucor + aspergillus mixed infection. There were 12 cases with malignant hematological disease and 6 cases with severe aplastic anemia, all of whom with long-term agranulocytosis, and their clinical manifestations and imaging findings were not specific. The common sites of infection were sinuses and lungs, and some patients showed multiple systemic manifestations. The remission status of hematological diseases and recovery of immune function showed an impact on the prognosis. All the patients were treated with amphotericin B liposome combined with posaconazole, and 15 patients were treated with surgery combined with antifungal drugs, 9 of whom were effective and 6 were ineffective, while intravenous administration in 3 cases was ineffective.@*CONCLUSION@#It is difficult to diagnose hematological disease complicated with mucor infection. After early diagnosis, prognosis can be improved by amelioration of primary state and combination of drugs and surgery.

Successful treatment of a patient with cutaneous co-infection caused by Mucor irregularis and Klebsiella pneumoniae

Abstract The authors report a rare case of primary cutaneous mucormycosis caused by Mucor irregularis and cutaneous Klebsiella pneumoniae infections in a 67-year-old Chinese woman. After the administration of liposomal amphotericin B combined with cefoperazone/sulbactam sodium, the patient recovered. Invasive fungal infection combined with cutaneous bacterial infection should receive attention.

Mucormicosis rino-órbito-cerebral crónica: una patología poco frecuente / Chronic rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis: an uncommon pathology

Resumen La mucormicosis rino-órbito-cerebral (ROC) crónica es una patología poco frecuente, con un número reducido de casos publicados en la literatura, cuyas manifestaciones son muy diversas e inespecíficas. El tratamiento se basa en la experiencia de casos y series de casos. Las herramientas terapéuticas incluyen el uso de antifúngicos endovenosos y orales por tiempo prolongado, asociado o no a debridamiento quirúrgico amplio, pudiendo requerir incluso exenteración orbitaria. Presentamos a continuación un caso de mucormicosis ROC crónica, junto con las dificultades para su diagnóstico y manejo, en el que destaca el enfrentamiento multidisciplinario. Dada la poca frecuencia de esta enfermedad, nos parece relevante difundirlo.

Abstract Chronic rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis is a rare condition with a small number of cases that have been published, whose manifestations are very diverse and nonspecific. The treatment is based on case series experiences. Therapeutic options include the use of long-term intravenous and oral antifungals, associated or not with extensive surgical debridement, and may even require orbital exenteration. We present below a case of chronic rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis with the challenge of diagnosis and management in which multidisciplinary work is fundamental. Since it is an uncommon pathology, it seems relevant to share the information.

Cutaneous mucormycosis

Abstract Cutaneous mucormycosis is an emerging fungal infection caused by opportunistic fungi of the phylum Glomeromycota. It is frequent in poorly controlled diabetic patients and individuals with immunosuppression. It is usually acquired by direct inoculation through trauma. The clinical presentation is nonspecific, but an indurated plaque that rapidly evolves to necrosis is a common finding. Diagnosis should be confirmed by demonstration of the etiological agent and new molecular diagnostic tools have recently been described. It is an invasive life-threatening disease and in order to improve survival, a prompt diagnosis and multidisciplinary management should be provided. The treatment of choice is amphotericin B, but new azoles, such as posaconazole and isavuconazole, must be considered.

Cutaneous mucormycosis in advanced HIV disease

ABSTRACT Angionvasive mucormycosis is an emerging fungal disease known to affect mainly diabetics or subjects with profound neutropenia. Infection usually occurs through the inhalation route, but cutaneous inoculation may occur after trauma or burns. However, mucormycosis remains unusual in HIV infection. We report a fatal case of cutaneous mucormycosis due to Rhizopus arrhizus involving the scalp following herpes zoster infection. The patient was a 42-year-old man with advanced AIDS failing on salvage antiretroviral therapy. The fungus was diagnosed on the basis of histopathology and culture. Our case emphasizes the need to consider mucormycosis in the differential diagnosis of necrotic cutaneous lesions in patients with late-stage HIV disease.

Mucormicosis rinosinusal por mucor hiemalis en una paciente con leucemia mieloide aguda / Rhinosinusal mucormycosis by mucor hiemalis in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia

Se reporta un caso clínico de una paciente femenina de 41 años, con antecedentes de leucemia mieloide aguda (LMA) en remisión. Estudiada por hematología, se confirmó recaída de LMA M4. Se inició quimioterapia. La paciente evolucionó con pancitopenia severa. Presentó dos episodios de neutropenia febril, el primero fue asociado a un absceso glúteo que se trató con antibacterianos, y el segundo a compromiso rinosinusal y úlcera necrótica de punta nasal, columela, tabique, cornete inferior izquierdo y paladar duro. Debido a la clínica e imá- genes radiológicas, se sospechó mucormicosis, por lo que se realizó cirugía con debridación extensa y se inició tratamiento antimicótico con anfotericina B desoxicolato. El cultivo de tejido informó abundante desarrollo de Mucor hiemalis. Se mantuvo pancitopénica durante aproximadamente un mes, siendo diariamente evaluada por un equipo multidisciplinario. Se hicieron varios aseos quirúrgicos, en el último se encontró tejido vital. La paciente completó diez días con anfotericina B desoxicolato y posteriormente se hizo traslape a posaconazol oral. Se realizó mielograma de control que evidenció remisión completa de recaída de LMA. Se dio de alta a su domicilio al día 40 de hospitalización, con hemograma adecuado y tratamiento oral con posaconazol para completar 6 semanas en total.

We report a case of a 41-years-old female patient with a history of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in remission. Hematology studies confirmed relapse of AML M4. Chemotherapy was started. The patient developed severe pancytopenia. She presented two episodes of febrile neutropenia, the first one was associated with a gluteal abscess that was treated with antibacterials, and the second to rhinosinusal involvement and necrotic ulcer of nasal tip, columella, septum, left inferior turbinate and hard palate. Due to clinical and radiological imaging, mucormycosis was suspected, so surgery was performed with extensive debridement and antifungal treatment with amphotericin B deoxicholate was initiated. Tissue culture reported abundant development of Mucor hiemalis. She remained pancytopenic for approximately one month, being evaluated daily by a multidisciplinary team. Several surgical were made, finding vital tissue in the last perform. The patient completed ten days with amphotericin B deoxicholate and later was overlapped to oral posaconazole. A control myelogram was performed, showing complete remission of AML. She was discharged to her home at day 40 of hospitalization, with adequate blood count and oral treatment with posaconazole to complete 6 weeks in total.

Eficacia y seguridad de posaconazol en pacientes pediátricos con mucormicosis y tratamiento previo con amfotericina B / Efficacy and safety of posaconazole in pediatric patients with mucormycosis and previous treatment with amphotericin B

INTRODUCCIÓN: Antecedentes: Se evaluó la eficacia y seguridad del uso de posaconazol en pacientes adultos con mucormicosis y respuesta inadecuada o eventos adversos al uso de amfotericina B. En el referido Dictamen, se apueba el uso de posaconazol en base a la opinión de expertos en consenso documentada en alguunas de práctica clínica y series de casos, así como base en base a la experiencia clínica observada por los especialistas de EsSalud. Aspectos Generales: La mucormicosis (también conocida como zygomicosis) es una infección oportunista poco frecuente, potencialmente mortal causada por hongos del orden Morales. Aunque es una infección por hongos relativamente poco común en la población general, en comparación con la candidiasis y aspergilosis; los casos de mucormicosis han sido en aumento durante la última década. El aumento global, puede deberse al aumento del uso de la quimioterapia y los esteroides, asociado a un estado inmunocomprometido prolongado. Tecnología Sanitaria de Interés: El posaconazol pertenece a la familia de los antifúngicos azoles, e inhibe la producción de ergosterol en el hongo mediante la unión y la inhibición de la lanosterol-14alpha-desmetilasa, que se encuentra presente en casi todos los hongos, excepto Pneumocystis y Pythium. Tiene una estructura química diferente de fluconazol y voriconazol, que le permite interactuar con un dominio adicional de la diana, de modo que puede inhibir incluso cepas mutadas resistentes a fluconazol y voriconazol. Además puede permanecer activo cuando otros azoles ya están inactivos. METODOLOGÍA: Estrategia de Búsqueda: Se utilizó el motor de búsqueda empleando el algoritmo mostrado en la sub-sección B y los filtros correspondientes a meta-análisis, revisiones sistemáticas y ensayos clínicos, en línea con los criterios de elegibilidad. Se llevó a cabo una búsqueda sistemática de la literatura con respecto a la eficcia y seguridad de posaconazol en pacientes pediáricos con mucormicosis que hayan recibido previamente tratamiento con Amfotericina B. La búsqueda se inicio revisando la información sobre el uso del medicamento de acuerdo con entidades reguladoras como la Food and Druga Administration de los Estados Unidos (FDA), la European Medicines Agency (EMA) y la Dirección General de Medicamentos y Drogas (DIGEMID). RESULTADOS: Sinopsis de la Evidencias: A la fecha aún no existe una indicación de etiqueta para el uso de posaconazol en niños con mucormicosis, por lo que su aplicación en casos pediátricos se basa únicamente en decisión y criterio clínico del caso. Debido a esto, la literatura científica disponible se refiere a la eficacia y seguridad de posaconazol en adultos con mucormicosis. En la presente sinopsis se describe toda la evidencia considerada para el presente dictamen (tanto la evidencia nueva encontrada como la evidencia utilizada en el Dictamen previo). y se explica cómo esta evidencia falla en responder de manera precisa la pregunta PICO de interés. CONCLUSIONES: El presente dictamen expone la evaluación de tecnologia sanitaria de la eficacia y seguridad de posaconazol en pacientes pediátricos con mucormicosis que hayan recibido Amfotericina B. Posaconazol ha sido propuesto como un medicamento de segunda línea de tratamiento en pacientes pediátricos con mucormicosis que presentan falla al tratamiento, son intolerantes por eventos adversos, o vienen recibiendo tratamiento por largos periodos de tiempo, dado que al momento no existe una segunda línea de tratamiento definida para este tipo de pacientes. El Instituto de Evaluación de Tecnologías en Salud e Investigación_IETSI aprueba el uso de posaconazol en pacientes pediátricos con mucormicosis que hayan recibido Amfotericina B. La vigencia del presente Dictamen Premilimiar es de un año. Asimismo, se establece que el efecto de posaconazol se evaluará con datos de los pacientes que usen medicamento para determinar su impacto en desenlaces clínicos. Esta información servirá para una re-evaluación del medicamento al terminar la vigencia del presente dictamen preliminar.

Cutaneous mucormycosis of scalp and eyelids in a child with type I diabetes mellitus.

Scalp mucormycosis in children is extremely rare. We present a case of pediatric scalp mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus oryzae in a 9-year-old diabetic girl who was successfully diagnosed and treated with amphotericin B deoxycholate and wound debridement. At 3 months follow up, the patient was stable although she had lost her vision.

Posaconazole Treatment in Korea: Single-Center Experience Over 5 Years

PURPOSE: Posaconazole is a second-generation triazole with a broad spectrum. However, there is a lack of data to support a significant role for posaconazole in the treatment of invasive fungal infection (IFI), especially in Korea. Until recently, posaconazole was available only through the Korean Orphan Drug Center. This study was designed to review the use of posaconazole at a single-center in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from patients who received posaconazole treatment at Catholic Blood and Marrow Transplantation Center were retrospectively reviewed between January 2007 and September 2012. RESULTS: A total of 11 cases (3 males and 8 females, median age 52 years) received posaconazole. Five patients were given the drug for mucormycosis, two for invasive aspergillosis, and four for unspecified IFI for which galactomannan (GM) assays were negative. The treatment duration ranged from 4-250 days. Three patients received posaconazole for management refractory IFI, two for intolerance of previous antifungal therapy, and six for long-term maintenance treatment. The overall successful response rate to posaconazole was 55% (six of eleven patients). Five of eleven patients died during the study period. However, only one death was attributed to the progression of IFI. None of the patients discontinued posaconazole therapy due to adverse events. CONCLUSION: Posaconazole is an attractive oral antifungal agent for salvage treatment of IFI, particularly upon diagnosis of mucormycosis or in cases in which mucormycosis cannot be ruled out due to a negative GM.

Recurrent pulmonary mucormycosis after lobectomy in a non-smoking patient without predisposing risk factors

Pulmonary mucormycosis is a very rare clinical condition in patients without underlying risk factors. A limited number of cases have been reported in predominantly elderly patients; history of smoking appears to be a common feature. A case of non-smoking male who developed pulmonary mucormycosis with the longest reported follow-up is presented. In addition, this is also the first reported case with disease recurrence after lobectomy (two years) in an immunocompetent host. Treatment with an additional lobectomy and amphotericin B was successful in this patient.

Mucormicosis: Una micosis emergente / Mucormycosis: An emergent mycosis

El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar la incidencia, frecuencia, características clínicas y evolución de los pacientes con mucormicosis atendidos en el Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Universidad de Buenos Aires, entre los años 1982 y 2010. Durante ese período se diagnosticaron 10 casos de mucormicosis. Los tres primeros entre 1982 y 2004 y los últimos 7 entre 2005 y 2010. La incidencia y frecuencia de esta enfermedad, para el período 1980-2004 fue 0.13 pacientes/año y 0.1 casos/10 000 egresos (IC 95%: 0.00 a 0.3) respectivamente. En el período 2005-2010 la incidencia fue 0.86 pacientes/año y la frecuencia de 1.1 casos/10 000 egresos (IC 95%: 0.5 a 2.4). Hubo nueve casos de mucormicosis rinosinuso-orbitaria, siete en pacientes con diabetes mellitus, uno en una paciente con una hemopatía maligna y neutropenia, y el restante en un paciente con HIV/sida que además estaba neutropénico y con un síndrome hemofagocítico. En una paciente se realizó el diagnóstico post mortem de mucormicosis pulmonar. El diagnóstico se efectuó por la observación de filamentos cenocíticos en los diez casos. Hubo desarrollo de mucorales en los cultivos de 8/9 pacientes; cinco Rhizopus spp y tres Mucor spp. Todos los pacientes recibieron un tratamiento inicial con anfotericina B deoxicolato, que en tres de ellos fue continuado con anfotericina B liposomal, y cirugía. Tres enfermos recibieron además un tratamiento adyuvante con oxigeno hiperbárico. La mortalidad fue 30%.

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic infection caused by fungi of the order Mucorales. It is characterized by rapid progression and high morbidity and mortality in the absence of early diagnosis and prompt treatment. It was an infrequent disease, but in recent years, its incidence appears to have increased. The aim of this paper is to report the cases of mucormycosis diagnosed from 1982 to 2010 at the Hospital de Clinicas José de San Martín, University of Buenos Aires. We diagnosed 10 cases of mucormycosis; the first three between 1982 and 2004 and the last 7 between 2005 and 2010. The incidence from 1980 to 2004 was 0.13 patient-years and the frequency 0.1/10 000 discharges (95% CI 0.00- 0.3). In the period 2005 to 2010, the incidence was 0.86 patients per year with 1.1/10 000 discharges (95% CI 0.5-2.4). There was a pulmonary mucormycosis case (in a patient treated with corticosteroids) and nine rhinocerebral cases, two in neutropenic and seven in diabetic patients. The diagnosis was made by observation of cenocytic hyphae in 10/10 patients. Mucorales were recovered in 8/9 cultures (5 Rhizopus spp and 3 Mucor spp.). In one case diagnosis of pulmonary mucormycosis was made post-mortem. Nine patients were treated with amphotericin B deoxycholate (in 3 patients supplemented with liposomal amphotericin B) and surgery. Three patients underwent hyperbaric chamber. Seven patients had favorable outcome. In conclusion, mucormycosis is a rare disease, but its incidence has increased over the past five years. A good evolution of the patients is linked to early diagnosis and treatment.

Rhizopus-associated soft tissue infection in an immunocompetent air-conditioning technician after a road traffic accident: a case report and review of the literature

Rhinocerebral or sinopulmonary mucromycosis is a well-recognized human fungal infection found among immunocompromised and diabetic patients. However, the infection is rare among immunocompetent hosts. We are reporting the case of an adult immunocompetent male patient working as an air-conditioning technician. The patient was a victim of a road traffic accident [RTA] and sustained multiple fractures in the proximal part of the left tibia, distal femur, and scapula. Two weeks postoperatively, Rhizopus microspores were isolated from an infected traumatic wound over the distal femur. Surgical debridement was performed, and the patient was started on amphotericin B. Occupational exposure history and workplace environmental sanitation are crucial for the prevention of this potentially fatal yet preventable infection. 2011 King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved