Zygomycosis, also known as mucormycosis, is a dangerous but uncommon fungal infection caused by a family of molds referred to as mucormycetes. These molds may be found all over the place.
Moreover, zygomycosis mainly affects individuals with health issues or who use medications that reduce the body’s capacity to resist infections and illness. When you inhale fungal spores from the air, it mainly affects your lungs or sinuses. It may also appear after a burn, cut, or other skin damage.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of zygomycosis vary depending on where the fungus is developing in the body. If you experience symptoms that you believe are caused by mucormycosis, see your doctor.
Rhinocerebral (brain and sinus) symptoms include:
The following are symptoms of pulmonary (lung) zygomycosis :
Cutaneous (skin) may appear as ulcers or blisters, and the affected spot may darken. Extreme redness, warmth, pain, or swelling surrounding a wound are other signs.
Among the symptoms of gastrointestinal mucormycosis are:
Furthermore, disseminated zygomycosis usually affects patients with other illnesses. Thus, it might be hard to identify its symptoms. Alteration in mental state or coma may arise in patients with widespread infection in the brain.
DIAGNOSIS
When diagnosing zygomycosis, healthcare practitioners assess your medical history, physical exams, symptoms, and laboratory testing. If your doctor suspects you have an infection in your sinuses, they may take a sample of fluid from the respiratory system to submit to a lab.
A tissue biopsy, in which a tiny sample of afflicted tissue is evaluated in a laboratory for signs of the condition under a microscope or in a fungal culture, may be performed by your healthcare practitioner. Depending on the location of the signs of infection, you may also require imaging tests like a CT scan of the sinuses, lungs, or other sections of your body.
TREATMENT
Zygomycosis is a dangerous infection that necessitates antifungal medication, commonly isavuconazole, posaconazole, or amphotericin B. These medications are administered either intravenously or orally (posaconazole, isavuconazole).
Other medications, such as echinocandins, voriconazole, and fluconazole, do not act against the fungi that cause mucormycosis. Zygomycosis often needs surgery to remove the affected tissue.
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