Learn About Mucormycosis
Mucormycosis is a fungal infection of the sinuses, brain, or lungs. It occurs in some people with a weakened immune system.
Fungal infection - mucormycosis; Zygomycosis
Mucormycosis is caused by different kinds of fungi often found in decaying organic matter. These include spoiled bread, fruit, and vegetables, as well as soil and compost piles. Most people come in contact with the fungus in the environment.
People with a weakened immune system are more likely to develop mucormycosis. These include people with any of the following conditions:
- AIDS
- Burns
- Diabetes (usually poorly controlled)
- Leukemia and lymphoma
- Long-term steroid use
- Metabolic acidosis
- Poor nutrition (malnutrition)
- Use of some medicines that suppress the immune system
Mucormycosis may involve:
- A sinus and brain infection called rhinocerebral infection: It may start as a sinus infection, and then lead to the swelling of the nerves that come from the brain. It may also cause blood clots that block vessels to the brain.
- A lung infection called pulmonary mucormycosis: Pneumonia that gets worse quickly and may spread to the chest cavity, heart, and brain.
- Other parts of the body: Mucormycosis of the gastrointestinal tract, skin, and kidneys.
Symptoms of rhinocerebral mucormycosis include:
- Eyes that swell and stick out (protrude)
- Dark scabbing in nasal cavities
- Fever
- Headache
- Mental status changes
- Redness of skin above sinuses
- Sinus pain or congestion
Symptoms of lung (pulmonary) mucormycosis include:
- Cough
- Coughing blood (occasionally)
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
Symptoms of gastrointestinal mucormycosis include:
- Abdominal pain
- Blood in the stools
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting blood
Symptoms of kidney (renal) mucormycosis include:
- Fever
- Pain in the upper abdomen or flank
Symptoms of skin (cutaneous) mucormycosis include a single, sometimes painful, hardened area of skin that may have a blackened center.
Surgery should be done right away to remove all dead and infected tissues. Surgery can lead to disfiguration because it may involve removal of the palate, parts of the nose, or parts of the eye. But, without such aggressive surgery, chances of survival are greatly decreased.
You will also receive antifungal medicine, usually amphotericin B, through a vein. After the infection is under control, you may be switched to a different medicine such as posaconazole or isavuconazole.
If you have diabetes, it will be important to get your blood sugar in the normal range.
Oliver Cornely practices in Koeln, Germany. Mr. Cornely is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Mucormycosis. His top areas of expertise are Mucormycosis, Aspergillosis, Agranulocytosis, COVID-19, and Bone Marrow Transplant.
Philipp Koehler practices in Koeln, Germany. Mr. Koehler is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Mucormycosis. His top areas of expertise are Mucormycosis, Aspergillosis, COVID-19, Bone Marrow Transplant, and Endoscopy.
Sebastian Wurster practices in Wuerzburg, Germany. Mr. Wurster is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Mucormycosis. His top areas of expertise are Mucormycosis, Aspergillosis, Agranulocytosis, and Cytomegalovirus Infection.
Mucormycosis has a very high death rate, even when aggressive surgery is done. The risk of death depends on the area of the body involved and your overall health.
These complications may occur:
- Blindness (if the optic nerve is involved)
- Clotting or blockage of brain or lung blood vessels
- Death
- Nerve damage
People with weakened immune systems and immune disorders (including diabetes) should seek medical attention if they develop:
- Fever
- Headache
- Sinus pain
- Eye swelling
- Any of the other symptoms listed above
Because the fungi that cause mucormycosis are widespread, the best way to prevent this infection is to improve control of the illnesses associated with mucormycosis.
Summary: This clinical trial, a single-arm prospective study, aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of liposomal amphotericin B (3-5 mg/kg/day) combined with posaconazole/isavuconazole in treating adult patients with malignant hematological diseases complicated by mucormycosis. The primary objectives are to determine the proportion of patients achieving complete or partial resolution of mucormycosis sym...
Summary: The purpose of this study is to observe safety and effectiveness of Cresemba in patients with invasive Aspergillosis or invasive Mucormycosis in Korea during the post-marketing surveillance period as required by Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS).
Published Date: November 10, 2024
Published By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor in Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Mucormycosis. Mucormycosis basics. www.cdc.gov/mucormycosis/about/. Updated April 24, 2024. Accessed November 25, 2024.
Kontoyiannis DP, Ostrosky-Zeichner L. Mucormycosis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 312.
Kontoyiannis DP, Lewis RE. Agents of mucormycosis and entomophthoramycosis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 258