title: Mucormycosis: four case reports.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mucormycosis is a rare and invasive fungal infection, but frequently fatal when it occurs. It commonly affects patients with diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study is to assess the clinical presentation, radiological findings, management and prognosis of mucormycosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study was conducted in the department of infectious diseases of Rabta hospital between January 1988 and December 2004 and included patients hospitalized for mucormycosis confirmed by mycological and/or histological findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  the study is about four diabetic patients with mucormycosis (3 men and a woman). Three of them had diabetic ketoacidosis at the time of diagnosis. The infection was sinusal in 2 cases and rhinocerebral in the the other two cases. Treatment consisted in systemic amphotericin B combined with surgical debridement in 3 cases. A fatal outcome was noted in 2 cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mucormycosis remains a severe infectious disease in diabetic patients. Early diagnosis and treatment is mandatory for a successful management of this infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Rabta Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Lamia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ammari
authors.forename: Badreddine
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kilani
authors.forename: Hanène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tiouiri
authors.forename: Fakher
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kanoun
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goubontini
authors.forename: Emna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mnif
authors.forename: Fayçal
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zouiten
authors.forename: Emna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chaker
authors.forename: Taoufik
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ben Chaabane
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003646:Debridement; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009091:Mucormycosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000666:Amphotericin B