Zygomycosis of the scalp caused by Rhizopus oryzae presenting as kerion in an immunocompetent child

Abstract

Deep mycosis of the scalp caused by Rhizopus oryzae mimicking kerion is rare. Herein, we report a case of such infection in a 5-year-old immunocompetent boy who presented with multiple painful boggy swellings with discharging sinuses on the scalp of 4 months’ duration. Purulent discharge from the swelling cultured on Sabouraud's dextrose agar yielded R. oryzae species which was confirmed by molecular analysis by polymerase chain reaction. The child was managed with parenteral liposomal amphotericin-B which helped in clearance of infection.

Development of a Monoclonal Antibody and a Serodiagnostic Lateral-Flow Device Specific to Rhizopus arrhizus (Syn. R. oryzae), the Principal Global Agent of Mucormycosis in Humans

“…It accounts for ~90% of cases of rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM), especially in those with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus and ketoacidosis [ 5 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ], but also in ostensibly immunocompetent individuals [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]. In addition, it is the leading cause (~70% of all cases) of pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cutaneous, and sub-cutaneous disseminated mucormycosis in immunocompromised individuals with haematological malignancies, solid organ and stem cell transplant recipients, and those receiving high-dose intravenous corticosteroids [ 7 , 9 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ]. The fungus has emerged as the cause of necrotising super-infections in patients with severe influenza and with SARS-CoV-2 [ 46 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 ,…”