Fatal Cutaneous Mucormycosis in a Diabetic Woman: Case Report

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Case Report

Author Details : Partha Pratim Das, Saurav Jyoti Patgiri

Volume : 2, Issue : 1, Year : 2016

Article Page : 31-34

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Abstract

Mucormycosis is a rare and fatal infection that generally affects the patients who are immunocompromised. Despite antifungal therapy and aggressive surgical intervention, mucormycosis can cause serious and rapidly fatal infections if delayed diagnosis or therapeutic management occurs. Here, we report cutaneous mucormycosis in a diabetic woman, with an unfavourable outcome due to late diagnosis and lack of aggressive treatment.
A 50-year old diabetic woman, some days after her admission into the hospital for complications of diabetes presented with  periorbital cellulitis with echymotic lesion over forehead and both hands including thumb.
With diagnosis of “periorbital cellulitis” intravenous antibiotics were started but no improvement was observed. The result of direct microscopy and culture of the wound exudate led us to a diagnosis of mucormycosis. Due to delayed diagnosis, she succumbed to her illness.
Due to the high mortality rate of mucormycosis, early diagnosis based on clinical findings and laboratory evidences could be effective for management of the patients suffering from this infection.

Keywords: Cutaneous mucormycosis, Lid lifting, Non-septate fungal hyphae, Periorbital cellulitis, Uncontrolled diabetes

How to cite : Das P P, Patgiri S J, Fatal Cutaneous Mucormycosis in a Diabetic Woman: Case Report. IP Int J Med Microbiol Trop Dis 2016;2(1):31-34

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