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Ency. home > Disease > M > Mucormycosis

Mucormycosis   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Zygomycosis

Definition:

A fungal infection of the sinuses, brain or lungs which occurs primarily in people with immune disorders.

Causes and Risks

Mucormycosis is caused by common fungi, frequently found in the soil and amongst decaying vegetation. Most individuals are exposed to these fungi on a daily basis -- but people with immune disorders may be susceptible to infection.

Conditions most commonly associated with mucormycosis include: diabetes mellitus, chronic steroid use, metabolic acidosis, organ transplantation, leukemia/lymphoma, treatment with deferoxamine and AIDS.

Syndromes associated with mucormycosis include:

  • Rhinocerebral infection (infection of sinuses and brain) which may start as a sinus infection and may progress to involve inflammation of cranial nerves and blood clots which block vessels to the brain (thrombosis).
  • Pulmonary mucormycosis (lung involvement) -- rapidly progressive pneumonia which may spread to the chest cavity, heart and brain.
  • Mucormycosis of the gastrointestinal tract, skin and kidneys.

Ency. home > Disease > M > Mucormycosis

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