Mucormycosis

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Fungus

Zygomycosis

Symptoms of rhinocerebral mucormycosis include the following:

• Acute sinusitis
• Fever
• Eye swelling and protrusion of eye orbit (proptosis)
• Dark nasal eschar (scabbing)
• Redness of skin overlying sinuses

Symptoms of pulmonary mucormycosis include the following:

• Fever
• Cough
• Coughing blood (occasionally)
• Shortness of breath

Symptoms of gastrointestinal mucormycosis include the following:

• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting blood

Symptoms of renal mucormycosis include the following:

• Flank pain
• Fever

Symptoms of cutaneous mucormycosis include a single, painful, hardened area of skin that may have a blackened central area.

Mucormycosis should be suspected if symptoms appear in individuals with immune disorders such as diabetes or those with weakened immune systems such as transplant recipients. Symptoms of rhinocerebral mucormycosis are most likely to occur among immunosuppressed people.

Depending on the site of involvement, CT scans or MRIs may be performed. Evaluation by an ear-nose-throat specialist is recommended if sinus involvement is suspected.

To definitively diagnose mucormycosis, a tissue specimen must be obtained and analyzed.

Review Date: 10/09/2006
Reviewed By: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.