title: Gastrointestinal mucormycosis: a success story and appraisal of concepts.
abstract: Mucormycosis is an opportunistic, life-threatening fungal infection caused by fungi of the class Zygomycetes. The disease has traditionally been reported in immunocompromised patients, premature infants, diabetics, transplant recipients, prolonged use of corticosteroids or in condition associated with increased availability of serum iron such as acidosis or deferoxamine administration. The infection is progressive and associated with a high mortality unless treatment is initiated promptly. The number of cases of gastrointestinal mucormycosis indexed on PubMed over the past 2 decades has shown an alarming rise. Moreover, the infection is being increasingly reported in patients without the traditional risk factors. We report successful management of an immunocompetent child with gastrointestinal mucormycosis who responded to aggressive treatment with surgical debridement and antifungal agents. The fungicidal activity of colistin (polymyxin E) has also been highlighted.
authors.affiliation: The Department of Pediatric Surgery, Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, Affiliated to Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi 110031, India. drprabudhgoel@gmail.com
authors.forename: Prabudh
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Goel
authors.forename: Vishesh
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Mamta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sengar
authors.forename: Anup
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohta
authors.forename: Prasenjit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Pankaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bansal
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D003091:Colistin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003646:Debridement; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy; D009091:Mucormycosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D003091:Colistin