Necrotizing fasciitis from invasive Phycomycetes.
Invasive phycomycotic fungal infections are life-threatening complications in patients with impaired immune response. A successful outcome usually depends on early aggressive treatment. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy has been suggested as adjuvant therapy based on theoretical considerations and in vitro evidence of fungal growth retardation. A standard gas gangrene HBO protocol was used to treat a progressive necrotizing polymicrobial soft-tissue infection of the lower extremity in a patient with normal host defenses. Progression of the fungal infection was stopped only after radical surgical debridement. This Phycomycetes (Apophycomyces elegans) has not been previously reported as a pathogen in man.
D000328:Adult; D003646:Debridement; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008297:Male; D009181:Mycoses / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D009336:Necrosis