Primary intranasal Fusarium infection. Potential for confusion with rhinocerebral zygomycosis.
Fusarium species are saprophytic fungi that may colonize human skin and nails and may rarely cause invasive infections in traumatized tissue and in debilitated and immunocompromised patients. We report herein a case of invasive intranasal Fusarium oxysporum infection in a diabetic patient. This unusual presentation potentially can be confused with early rhinocerebral zygomycosis clinically and histologically. Distinguishing morphologic features and the possible role of diabetes in promoting this infection are discussed.
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005670:Fusarium / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009181:Mycoses / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D012811:Sigmoid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents