Disseminated infection due to Saksenaea vasiformis secondary to cutaneous mucormycosis

Mycopathologia. 2014 Feb;177(1-2):97-101. doi: 10.1007/s11046-013-9715-3. Epub 2013 Nov 1.

Abstract

Mucormycosis is an uncommon opportunistic fungal infection caused by Zygomycetes. It usually affects immunocompromised, diabetic and trauma patients with infected wounds. We report a case of disseminated infection secondary to facial cutaneous mucormycosis caused by Saksenaea vasiformis in a diabetic patient who had a farming accident causing him severe head injury. The patient was treated with a combination of surgical debridement and antifungal therapy with liposomal amphotericin B, but he had a slow and fatal outcome. In cases of tissue necrosis following trauma involving wound contact with soil (i.e., potential fungal contamination), testing for the presence of Zygomycetes fungi such as S. vasiformis in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients is crucial. The reason is that this infection usually has a rapid progression and may be fatal if appropriate treatment is not administered.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Craniocerebral Trauma
  • Dermatomycoses / drug therapy*
  • Dermatomycoses / microbiology
  • Diabetes Complications / microbiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mucorales / classification*
  • Mucorales / drug effects
  • Mucormycosis / drug therapy*
  • Mucormycosis / microbiology
  • Sepsis / microbiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Amphotericin B

Associated data

  • GENBANK/KF724978