Infectious Diseases and Microbiology - Zygomycosis (Rhizopus)

Infectious Diseases and Microbiology - Zygomycosis (Rhizopus)

The most prevalent fungi that cause zygomycosis, also known as mucormycosis, are Rhizopus, Absidia, and Mucor species. Aerosolized spores found in the soil or on food can cause zygomycosis when inhaled. Patients with diabetes who have ketoacidosis, people with leukopenia, and people on immunosuppressive medication treatment are among the groups most susceptible to zygomycosis.

Skin, lung, or rhinocerebral illness are the hallmarks of zygomycosis. With a high death rate, rhinocerebral zygomycosis begins in the paranasal sinus and progresses to the orbit, hard palate, and brain. It is most frequently seen in patients with diabetes. Immunocompromised and disabled people are more susceptible to pulmonary and cutaneous zygomycoses, which are characterized by necrotic skin ulcers or pulmonary lesions that are frequently connected to burns, leukemia, or organ transplantation.

Spores that are inhaled cause tissue infarction, necrosis, and bleeding as they germinate into angioinvasive, filamentous hyphae in the lung. The primary factor that determines resistance to zygomycosis is cell-mediated immunity.

 The discovery of nonseptate, "ribbonlike" hyphae in biopsy specimens is the first step in the diagnosis of zygomycosis, which is then verified by culture.

 Amphotericin B and surgical debridement are the available treatments for zygomycosis.
Avoidance

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