Mucormycosis: the clinical spectrum

Abstract

Background: Mucormycosis is a rare opportunistic fungal infection typically affecting diabetic or immunosuppressed patients. In most of the cases, infection is caused by inhalation of fungal spores. The aim of the study is to assess the different modes of presentation, risk factors management and prognosis of patients with mucormycosis.Methods: It is a retrospective study conducted in Father Muller medical college hospital between January 2016 to October 2017 and included all patients hospitalized for mucormycosis confirmed by mycological and /or histological findings. This study was approved by the institutional research and ethics committee. All case records were identified from in patient MRD with the diagnosis of mucormycosis over the last one year. For each case taken, the clinical information was recorded from case sheetResults: Out of the 7 cases studied 5 (71.4%) had rhinoorbital involvement 28.6% had pulmonary involvement with hemoptysis being the primary symptom. The mean age of the affected population was 55.7 years. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus was the most common predisposing factor as seen in 71.4% cases with mean Hba1c levels 13. The mean ESR in present study was 79. There was increased WBC count in all the cases studied with neutrophilic predominance. Urine ketones was positive (++) in all the cases of diabetes with rhinoorbital involvement.Conclusions: Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus is a predisposing factor for mucormycosis. Elevated ESR was noted in all the cases.