A case of rhino-orbital mucormycosis in an immunocompetent patient following Hurricane Irma.

Abstract

Exposure to molds following a major hurricane has been associated with opportunistic fungal infections especially in immunocompromised hosts [[1], [2], [3], [4]]. Most of these mold infections are usually aspergillosis, typically involving the lungs. On the other hand, only a few cases of mucormycosis (or mucor) have been linked epidemiologically to a major hurricane, predominantly in transplant patients [5,6]. In this report, we present a case of rhino-orbital mucormycosis in an immunocompetent, non-diabetic patient one year following hurricane Irma and highlighted the challenges encountered with making the correct diagnosis.