Clinical features of mucormycosis / 中国医学科学院学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the clinical features of patients with mucormycosis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of all 9 cases of mucormycosis in our hospital from 1986 to 2009.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average age was(31 ∓ 19)years. The intervals between the onset of disease to diagnosis ranged from 1 weeks to 31 months. One patient had rhinocerebral mucormycosis, 4 had pulmonary mucormycosis, 2 had disseminated mucormycosis, and 1 had isolated central nervous system mucormycosis. Risk factors included long-term high-dose usage of corticosteroids, diabetes,acidosis, and extensive skin lesions. Laboratory analysis showed elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and increased C-reactive protein. Laboratory evidences also suggested 6 patients were obviously immunocompromised. Chest CT scans of all patients with pulmonary mucormycosis revealed bilateral multiple patches. All patients were treated with intravenous amphotericin B, and two patients also underwent surgeries. One of two patients with disseminated mucormycosis died, the patient with rhinocerebral mucormycosis was stabilized,and the other patients were improved.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Mucormycosis is a rare disease, and all patients are immunocompromised. Due to the rapid progression and poor prognosis, early diagnosis and correct treatment are necessary and may improve survival.</p>