Subcutaneous mucormycosis caused by Mucor hiemalis Wehmer f. luteus (Linnemann) Schipper 1973

Abstract

The authors report a case of subcutaneous mucormycosis in a diabetic patient with verrucous lesions in the fourth finger of the right hand. Initially diagnosed as a fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis case, success was obtained with the use of potassium iodide with healing of the lesion in a period of nearly 5 months. At present the patient remains under clinical observation with no treatment or relapse.

Zygomycetes in Human Disease

“…Erythematous papules, nodules, and plaques without superficial necrosis have also been described (130,274,372,490). A single case described the formation of verrucous lesions (98). Shallow ulcerations have also been described (490).…”

“…Oval spores and coenocytic and sparsely septate hyphae were present in the cystic structures of the dermis. The hyphae were sometimes aggregated into fungus balls (98). Epidermal involvement in another case has shown mild spongiosis with superficial and deep nodular granulomatous dermatitis consisting of lymphocytes, histiocytes, plasma cells, and foreign-body giant-cell reaction (372).…”

“…It has become evident that the azoles should not be used in treating zygomycosis due to the lack of both in vitro and in vivo susceptibility (149,348,434). Early successful attempts at antifungal therapy for infection with the Mucorales included the use of oral saturated potassium iodide and local applications of tincture of iodide for cutaneous sites (98,221,398). This mirrors the treatment regimen successfully used to treat infections with Basidiobolus and Conidiobolus spp.…”

Occupation, Lifestyle, Diet, and Invasive Fungal Infections

“…In the developed world, factors such as immigration, increasing numbers of tourists in the tropics, and increasing participation in outdoor activities during leisure time, have Table 1 Occupations associated with invasive fungal infections acquired after inhalational exposure. moved these fungal infections from the area of medical curiosity to clinical practice [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41]. Table 2 provides an overview of the main subcutaneous mycoses and the associated activities/occupations.…”

An autopsy case of pulmonary fissure induced by zygomycosis

“…This is probably due to the increased use of immunosuppressive therapies and newly developed antifungal agents, which are effective against Candida and Aspergillus but not against Zygomycota. Thus, cases have been identified as being associated with leukemia,3 aplastic anemia,4 bone marrow transplantation,3 diabetes mellitus,5 renal disease,6 burns,7 and corticosteroid therapy 3,7. The most common clinical zygomycosis manifestations are rhino-orbital-cerebral, cutaneous, pulmonary, disseminated, and gastrointestinal 8.…”