Mucormycosis - A catastrophic mycotic lesion

Abstract

Mucormycosis (phycomycosis, zygomycosis) is an severe opportunistic infection 2 caused by a saprophytic fungus found in soil, bread molds, decaying fruits and vegetables. This disease is commonly found in immunodeficiency patients like diabetes, tuberculosis, renal failure, leukemia, Cirrhosis and in severe burn cases. The fungal spores enter paranasal sinuses through inhalation and infection spreads to orbital and intracranial structures via blood vessels or by direct invasion. These organisms invade the arteries leading to thrombosisand subsequently cause necrosis of hard and soft tissues. We report a rare case of mucormycosisinvolving extensive area of palate in a 48-year old male patient with a medical history of diabetes andliver cirrhosis and met with accident a month back. Histopathological examination of H&E stainedsections revealed fungal hyphae in a connective tissue stroma. Non-septate branching hyphae were better appreciated through Gomori methenamine staining. Early diagnosis andtimely treatment can reduce the mortality and morbidity of this fatal condition.