Mucormycosis
Mucormycosis (pronounced: mew-kor-my-KO-sis) is a rare but serious fungal infection caused by a group of molds known as mucormycetes. These molds live throughout the environment, particularly in soil and in decaying organic matter, such as leaves, compost piles, or rotten wood.
Etymology
The term "Mucormycosis" is derived from the Greek words "mukēs" meaning fungus and "mykēs" meaning mold. It was first described in 1885 by Paltauf.
Causes
Mucormycosis is caused by the inhalation, ingestion, or direct contact with spores of the fungi in the order Mucorales. The most common genera causing disease are Rhizopus, Mucor, and Lichtheimia (formerly Absidia).
Symptoms
The symptoms of mucormycosis depend on where in the body the fungus is growing. Symptoms can include fever, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, skin ulcers, and blackened tissue.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of mucormycosis typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, imaging tests such as CT or MRI scans, and laboratory tests, including fungal cultures and histopathology.
Treatment
Treatment typically involves a combination of antifungal medications, such as Amphotericin B and Posaconazole, and surgical debridement of infected tissues.
Prevention
Prevention strategies include avoiding environments with high mold counts, such as construction sites and compost piles, particularly for individuals with weakened immune systems.
See also
References
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mucormycosis
- Wikipedia's article - Mucormycosis
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