[Granulomatous hypodermitis revealing a cutaneous mucormycosis in an immunodepressed patient].
BACKGROUND
Mucormycosis is an exceptional opportunist fungal infection, despite the ubiquitous nature of its pathogenic agents. It is sometimes revealed by primary cutaneous involvement and its prognosis is bad in the case of visceral dissemination. Our observation illustrates the need for early diagnosis and treatment of this infection.


METHODS
An immunodepressed, 45 year-old woman, had developed necrotic hypodermitis lesions on the lower limbs. The skin biopsy led to the diagnosis of mucormycosis. Despite treatment with liposomal amphotericin, the fungal infection worsened, spread to the organs (lungs and brain) and the patient died.


CONCLUSIONS
This case report underlines the potential severity of mucormycosis, which is presently emerging in the onco-hematological field. The infection is sometimes revealed by inaugural ulcerated and/or necrotic cutaneous lesions. Its diagnosis must be evoked early so that salvage medical-surgical treatment can be initiated.
Jouhet
C
C
Service de Dermato-vénérologie, Hôpital Sainte Marguerite, Marseille.
Mohty
A-M
AM
Taseï
A-M
AM
Charbonnier
A
A
Ferrando
M
M
Grob
J-J
JJ
Richard
M-A
MA
D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009091:Mucormycosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009336:Necrosis; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*