Last update:
18-Jul-2000

Arch Hellen Med, 16(4), July-August 1999, 383-385

SHORT COMMUNICATION

Cutaneous Rhizopus oryzae mucormycosis

M. KANELLOPOULOU,¹ A. VELEGRAKI,² E. MYLONA,¹ K. PAPAEFSTATHIOU,¹
N. LEGAKIS,² E. PAPAFRANGAS^1
1Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Sismanoglion General Hospital,
²Laboratory of Microbiology, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece

This is a case report of mucormycosis in a 60 year-old female with no predisposing factors, who presented with extensive soft tissue damage in the left frontal abdominal region and a fever of 39.8 ^oC. Surgical debridement was performed and i.v. clindamycin, penicillin and netilmicin were given, but within 24 hours rapidly advancing necrosis was observed and the patient became toxic. Gram staining of the affected tissue revealed leucocytes and non-septate branching hyphae with no other microorganism, while culture yielded the fungus R. oryzae. Routine biochemical and hematological laboratory tests were normal and examination for humoral and cellular immunity did not detect immuno deficiency. The patient was treated successfully with i.v. liposomal amphotericin B for four months (total dose 10.2 g) with concomitant surgical debridement. Moni toring of serum urea and creatinine levels was performed, because of the nephrotoxic action of this drug.

Key words: Mucormycosis, R. oryzae, Zygomycetes.