title: Three cases of cutaneous mucormycosis with Lichtheimia spp. (ex Absidia/Mycocladus) in ICU. Possible cross-transmission in an intensive care unit between 2 cases.
abstract: Mucormycoses are rare but emerging diseases with poor prognosis caused by ubiquitous fungi from the environment. In November 2008, our teaching hospital experienced three cutaneous mucormycosis due to Lichtheimia spp. (ex Absidia/Mycocladus) in the intensive care and orthopaedic units. Environmental and epidemiological investigations suggested a possible cross-transmission of L. ramosa between two patients in intensive care. This is the first report of possible person-to-person transmission of mucormycosis species. These cases show the ineffectiveness of hydro-alcoholic solutions against spores and underline the need to respect standard precautions to prevent fungi dissemination.
authors.affiliation: Centre de biologie, laboratoire de parasitologie-mycologie, hôpital G. Montpied, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France; Laboratoire de parasitologie-mycologie, Clermont université, université d'Auvergne, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France; Laboratoire micro-organismes : génome et environnement (LMGE), UMR CNRS 6023, Clermont université, université Blaise-Pascal, université d'Auvergne, 63170 Aubière, France. Electronic address: ppoirier@chu-clermontferrand.fr.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Poirier
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nourrisson
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gibold
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chalus
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guelon
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Descamp
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Traore
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cambon
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aumeran
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000391:Air Microbiology; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D060085:Coinfection; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000382:microbiology; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007511:Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009090:Mucorales / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009091:Mucormycosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D016533:Mycological Typing Techniques; D009873:Operating Rooms; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000382:microbiology; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Absidia; Cross-transmission; Cutaneous; Lichtheimia; Mucormycose cutanée; Mucormycoses; Mycocladus; Transmission croisée