Class Phycomycetes Research Articles

A rare case of rhino-orbito-maxillary mucormycosis having no common signs and laboratory findings but no visible morbidity

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fungal infection caused by omnipresent fungi called Mucorales of class Phycomycetes. It mainly occurs in immunocompromised patients, and only early diagnosis with medical and surgical intervention remains the gold standard in managing it. Here, we present the case of a patient contracted with mucormycosis post his COVID-19 infection involving the rhino-orbito-maxillary area. The patient presented to our hospital with dental pain a month after his discharge. Since the mucormycosis cases were at a peak in this period, our team of doctors did a thorough examination of the patient, which revealed dental and ophthalmologic abnormalities. No clinical necrotic eschar in the palatine or nasal cavity was diagnosed, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a typical COVID-19 mucormycosis infection. Accordingly, prompt treatment with systemic amphotericin B was started. However, as the patient declined surgical intervention, we feared the worst outcome, which to our surprise showed no adverse progression.

Factors associated with survival in diabetic patients with rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis

Abstract BACKGROUND. Mucormycosis is an emerging angioinvasive, potentially fatal infection caused by the ubiquitous filamentous fungi of the order Mucorales of the class Phycomycetes. They occur particularly in metabolically decompensated diabetic patients. OBJECTIVE. To evaluate the factors associated with survival in a group of diabetic patients with rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS. A case-control study of a series of cases from January 2013 to May 2020 was designed. Patients with diabetes mellitus and a diagnosis of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis were included. The clinical findings were considered, as well as age, gender, laboratory and radiological results, and mortality. For the statistical analysis, we used descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney U test. We considered a p-value equal to or less than 0.05 to indicate a statistically significant association or difference. Likewise, the odds ratio was used to determine the relative risk. RESULTS. 19 cases were included, with an average age of 60.8 years and female gender predominance. In 100% of the cases, nonseptate hyphae were identified in histopathological studies. We had a mortality of 7 (36.8%), where the rhino-orbital complications were the most frequent. The findings of CRP ≤23.1mm/L, an absolute neutrophil count ≥13.2 x1000 /µl and absence of bone erosion in the simple tomography, the rhino-orbital stage, could be related to greater survival. CONCLUSION. Our series presented mortality close to 40%. Age <64 years, CRP ≤23.1mm/L, absolute neutrophil count ≥13.2 x1000 /µl and absence of bone erosion in the simple tomography, rhino-orbital stage were associated with a better survival in our series.

Nasal rhinosporidiosis: a prospective study

Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic granulomatous lesion that is caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi, a fungus of the class Phycomycetes, family Coccoidiodaceae. It primarily affects the mucous membranes of the nose and nasopharynx. Rhinosporidiosis is endemic to Sri Lanka, the Indian subcontinent and certain areas in Africa. Isolated cases have also been reported worldwide. Clinically it presents as a reddish, bleeding, polypoidal mass. We present a prospective study of 27 cases of nasal rhinosporidiosis that were diagnosed and managed at the department of Otolaryngology in a tertiary care hospital in India

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis: A report of two cases

Mucormycosis is an acute opportunistic infection caused by saprophytic fungus of class Phycomycetes order Mucorales and family Mucoracae, found in soil, bread molds, and decaying fruits and vegetables. Even though this fungus is ubiquitous in the nature, the disease is usually prevented by immune system and is therefore rare. Rhizopus, Rhizomucor, Absidia and Cunninghamella are the most common species associated with Mucormycosis. Diabetes, chronic kidney disease, desferroxamine use in dialysis, leukemia, lymphoma, immunocompromised state, burns and open wounds are the risk factors of mucormycosis. Out of six clinical entities of mucormycosis, rhinocerebral mucormycosis is the most common variety which includes three subtypes rhinomaxillary, rhino-orbital and rhino-orbitocerebral mucormycosis. Here are two case reports of Rhinocerebral mucormycosis of different subtypes emphasizing the role of early detection of the disease to limit the spread of infection and reducing the morbidity and mortality.

Disseminated mucormycosis associated with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in a patient treated for post-transplant high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

The incidence of mucormycosis, defined as systemic infection caused by fungi of the class Phycomycetes has been increasing over the past 2 decades, especially in profoundly immunocompromised hosts. We report a new case in a patient presenting with post-transplant high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who received a prolonged treatment with voriconazole and caspofungin for an invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Definite diagnosis of mucormycosis was made by liver biopsy of nodules mimicking progressive lymphoma. The patient died 1 week after the diagnosis of mucormycosis despite the administration of liposomal amphotericin B. The role of voriconazole and caspofungin in the emergence of mucormycosis is discussed.

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis in a patient with latent diabetes mellitus: A case report

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is a rare opportunistic fungal infection that attacks mainly immunocompromised or diabetic patients. Three genera are described as human pathogens: Rhizopus, Absibia, and Mucor. These members of the family Mucorales belong to the class Phycomycetes. They are typically saprophytic in the human upper respiratory and digestive tracts.

Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis

Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis

Laboratory Observations of Lower Fungi

FUNGI ARE AMONG THE LEAST UNDERSTOOD and least appreciated of all organisms. However, for those who have studied this group of organisms, fungi are most fascinating with respect to their structure and physiology. Biology teachers can make laboratory study of living fungi intriguing by presenting species that are beautiful and illustrate interesting growth responses. Lower fungi are characterized by (1) aseptate hyphae; (2) asexual reproduction by sporangiospores; and (3) sexual reproduction resulting in thick-walled resting spores. This group is sometimes referred to as Class Phycomycetes (algal-fungi) because some of them produce structures similar to those of certain algae. This class designation is outmoded, however, as the group has been split into several separate classes. Among the lower fungi I have used successfully in my botany and mycology classes are Oomycetes and Zygomycetes, two of the best known of these classes. These organisms are readily available from natural sources or biological supply houses. They can be easily and inexpensively grown at room temperature on the media described below, and if they are maintained at 10-15?C, test-tube cultures require transfer to fresh media only once every six months.

Effect of Mold Growth on the pH of Tomato Juice

Fifty-eight species of 21 genera of molds were grown on tomato juice for 35 days to determine the effect on pH. The molds included members of the class Phycomycetes and the families Moniliaceae, Dematiaceae, and Tuberculariaceae. All molds except two raised the pH from the initial pH 4.1 to a range from 4.9 to greater than 9.0. Thirty-three of the Fungi lmperfecti (53%) raised the pH to values above 7.0. None of the Phycomycetes tested raised the pH above 7.0.

Mycological Consideration of the Phycomycoses

The Phycomycoses are a different group of mycoses caused by fungi belonging to the Class, Phycomycetes. Recently the name has been criticized because Class Phycomycetes is no longer recognized in the formal taxonomic system. On the basis of this premise, Ajello recommended that the relic term “Phycomycosis” be replaced by zygomycosis. However, a name of the phycomycoses cannot exclude in present because zygomycoses cannot cover all infections caused by Oomycetous fungi. Some of the pathogenic species of Mucorales reported in the literature in Japan were reviewed and discussed with their taxonomic position in this symposium.

Basidiobolomycosis with lymph node involvement.

Two cases of Basidiobolomycosis caused by species of the order Entomophthorales are discussed with the report on lymph node involvement by B. haptosphorus. A clearer aetiological classification of the diseases caused by various agents belonging to the class Phycomycetes is preferred in view of the distinct clinical entities produced by them. Involvement of the lymph nodes is also an evidence that the disease produced by B. haptosporus is not restricted to subcutaneous tissue. A routine lymph node biopsy with mycological studies of the node is suggested in such cases.

Intracranial phycomycosis: A clinicopathological and radiological study

In 3 patients with diabetes mellitus and ketoacidosis and one with uremia from chronic renal disease, phycomycotic infection extended into the intracranial cavity from the paranasal sinuses, leading to death in all 4 cases. Striking angiographic changes occurred in 3 cases, consisting of irregular narrowings of intracranial arteries, at times with stenosis or occlusion, and in 1 case, findings indicative of a mycotic aneurysm. The clinical and radiographic findings could be correlated with the pathological changes in the carotid arteries and their branches, which resulted from invasion and destruction of the arterial wall by the fungus. This in turn led to thrombus formation and infarction of brain tissue, either directly or as a result of embolization; the mycotic aneurysm was a consequence of the distinctive alteration of the wall of the internal carotid artery. In all 4 cases biopsy specimens showed the presence of a fungus of the class Phycomycetes. In 3, the organisms were identified by culture as belonging to the genus Rhizopus of the family Mucoraceae. Treatment with amphotericin B may have inhibited growth of the organisms in 1 case, but was ineffective in controlling the infection in any of the cases.

Cephalic mucormycosis (phycomycosis). A case with survival.

MUCORMYCOSIS, or phycomycosis, is a tissue infection by saprophytic fungi of the class Phycomycetes. It occurs in patients with debilitating diseases or following administration of adrenocorticosterioids, antitumor agents, or antibiotics. Patients with diabetic acidosis seem to be especially susceptible to mucormycosis. 1 The common sites of initial invasion are the paranasal sinuses, lungs, or gastrointestinal tract. Prior to 1943, 30 cases were collected from the literature, four involving the central nervous system. 2 Since 1943, about 160 cases have been reported, 45 with cephalic involvement: paranasal sinus, orbit, cranial nerve, brain, or meninges. 3-15 Death directly related to infection occurs in approximately 50% of all cases. To date only eight patients have survived cephalic infection, and all but one had residual neurological deficits (Table). The present report describes the ninth patient who has survived cephalic mucormycosis. Report of a Case This patient (P.H. 159-28-88) had recognized diabetes mellitus since

Acute cerebral phycomycosis (mucormycosis): Report of a pediatric patient successfully treated with amphotericin B and cycloheximide and review of the pertinent literature

The incidence of infections caused by fungi of the class Phycomycetes has increased significantly in recent years. Grave impairment of the patient's immunologic resistance appears to be an essential predisposing factor for the development of this group of diseases; diabetes mellitus and leukemia are the 2 predisposing factors most frequently encountered in the United States. A classical example of acute cerebral phycomycosis in a 15-year-old girl who was debilitated by diabetic acidosis is presented. This well-defined syndrome, which is seldom recognized antemortem, has been associated with a mortality rate approaching 100 per cent. The favorable outcome of this case stresses, the value of early diagnosis and therapy and suggests that control of the basic disease, adequate surgical drainage, and the administration of antifungal agents should be effective in lowering this high mortality rate. The current status of phycomycosis is reviewed, including mycologic aspects, classification, pathophysiology, predisposing factors, diagnosis, and treatment.

Basidiobolus ranarum as a cause of subcutaneous mycosis in Indonesia.

Basidiobolus ranarum Eidam has been known since 18871as a saprophytic fungus found in many parts of the world in the digestive tract of frogs and lizards and in beetles which feed upon the excrement of these animals and are in turn eaten by them. We have studied two unusual cases of subcutaneous infections in man in Indonesia in which this fungus was established as the etiologic agent. The fungus is a member of the family Entomophthoraceae in the class Phycomycetes. Two other families of the Phycomycetes (Mucoraceae and Mortierellaceae) contain fungi which are better known as pathogens of man, but proved infections caused by even these fungi are rare, and no representatives of any of the three groups have been found previously as pathogens of man in Indonesia. In tissue sections the fungi representing these three families cannot be differentiated with certainty. All