Mucormycosis: four case reports.
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.
Ammari
Lamia
L
Department of Infectious Diseases, Rabta Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia.
Kilani
Badreddine
B
Tiouiri
Hanène
H
Kanoun
Fakher
F
Goubontini
Ahmed
A
Mnif
Emna
E
Zouiten
Fayçal
F
Chaker
Emna
E
Ben Chaabane
Taoufik
T
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
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000666:Amphotericin B