Facial Cutaneous Mucormycosis in a Full-term Infant

Abstract

Mucormycosis is a rare and potentially fatal fungal infection that most commonly affects the immunocompromised population. Although originally described by Paltauf in 1885 (D. G. Finn as cited by Vessely et al(1)((p573)) and A. M. Marchevsky as cited by Oh and Notrica(2)((p1607))), it was not until 1955 that Harris (as cited by Vessely et al(1)((p573))) reported the first case of a mucormycosis survivor. In recent years, the number of immunosuppressed patients has increased partly owing to the widespread implementation of organ transplantation and the increasing prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Consequently, the incidence of mucormycosis has also increased, especially in pediatric patients. In the setting of immunocompromise, a high index of suspicion is required to accurately diagnose and treat this potentially lethal infection in a timely fashion. To our knowledge, we report the first case of facial cutaneous mucormycosis in an infant, who also represents the first reported neonate or infant to survive a cutaneous mucormycosis infection of the head and neck.

Cutaneous zygomycosis

“…[2] included 176 cases (19%) of cutaneous zygomycosis. We searched PubMed for case reports of cutaneous zygomycosis published from 2004 through 2008 in English, selecting only articles describing cases in which the diagnosis had been confirmed by histology and/or culture, and identified 78 cases [3–65]. The large number of publications in recent years may reflect the greater awareness in the part of physicians of this infection, as well as publication bias, but there are also data which support an actual increase in the incidence of zygomycosis, mainly in patients with haematological malignancies [66].…”

Usefulness of oral cytopathology in the diagnosis of infectious diseases

“…Mucormycosis is a severe mycosis that usually causes serious rhinocerebral infection, with necrosis of the nasal septum and palate. Spores are most often disseminated through the air via inhalation, but transmission may also occur by ingestion or direct traumatic skin inoculation 54 . Mucormycosis starts in the nose and by direct extension it can involve the paranasal sinuses, orbit, cribriform palate and brain.…”

“…Spores are most often disseminated through the air via inhalation, but transmission may also occur by ingestion or direct traumatic skin inoculation. 54 Mucormycosis starts in the nose and by direct extension it can involve the paranasal sinuses, orbit, cribriform palate and brain. Involvement of the hard palate is uncommon.…”

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

“…[2] However, cutaneous mucormycosis involving other regions like the face, nose, breast, chest, back, abdomen, gluteal area, perineum, and scalp have been reported earlier. [3][4][5][6] We report a case of pediatric primary cutaneous mucormycosis affecting the scalp, forehead, and upper eyelids, which was promptly diagnosed and successfully treated.…”