title: Seasonal variations in rhino-cerebral Mucor infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is an uncommon, potentially lethal infection that occurs mostly in immunocompromised hosts. The seasonal occurrence of ROCM was studied in two of Israel's largest medical centers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 36 patients were seen during a 25-year period in this retrospective bi-institutional cohort study. Meteorologic data were obtained and analyzed for a possible linkage of infection with precipitation and temperature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one of the 36 patients (58%) presented between the months of August and October, and 27 patients (75%) presented between the months of August and December. A peak incidence of ROCM was noted in the month of September (13/36 patients; 36%). No association was noted between meteorologic conditions and the incidence of ROCM infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A consistent seasonal peak was observed in ROCM. Heightened awareness is important for early recognition and treatment of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikvah, Israel.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shpitzer
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goldschmied-Reouven
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bahar
authors.forename: Irit
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bahar
authors.forename: Jona
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kronenberg
authors.forename: Raphael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Feinmesser
authors.forename: Yoav P
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Talmi
mesh_terms: D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D015994:Incidence; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009091:Mucormycosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012233:Rhizopus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012621:Seasons; D013696:Temperature