It’s All About Mucormycosis

What Is Mucormycosis?

Mucormycosis is also known as blackfungus, which is a serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes. These molds live throughout the environment. It mainly affects people who are having health problems or take medicines that lower the body’s ability to fight germs and sicknesses. Also, it mostly affects the sinuses or the lungs after inhaling fungal spores from the air. Also, it can occur on the skin after a cut, burn or any other type of skin injury.

What Are The Types Of Mucormycosis/Blackfungus?

1.Rhinocelebral (sinus and brain) mucormycosis

It is the infection in the sinuses which can even spread to the brain. This type of mucormycosis is the most common in people with uncontrolled diabetes and also in people who have been through the kidney transplant procedure.

2.Pulmonary (lung) Mucormycosis

It is the most common infection in people with cancer and people who have been through the stem transplant procedure or organ transplant procedure.

3.Cutaneous (skin) Mucormycosis

It occurs after the fungi enter the body through a break in the skin like after surgery or burn or other type of skin trauma. It is most common infection in people who do not have weakened immune systems.

4.Disseminated Mucormycosis

It occurs when the infection spreads through the bloodstream to affect another part of the body. Also, this infection most commonly affects the brain, but can also affect the other parts of the body such as the spleen, heart and skin.

What Are The Fungi Which Most Commonly Cause Mucormycosis/Blackfungus ?

Examples are: Rhizopus species, Mucor species, Synchephalastrum species, Apophysomyces species, Lichtheimea, Cunninghamella bertholletiae.

What Are The Symptoms Of Mucormycosis/Blackfungus?

1.Rhinocelebral Mucormycosis/Blackfungus

• One sided facial swelling
• Headache
• Nasal or sinus congestion
• Fever
• Also, black lesions on nasal bridge or upper inside of mouth that quickly become more severe

2.Pulmonary Mucormycosis/Blackfungus

• Fever
• Cough
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath

3.Cutaneous Mucormycosis/Blackfungus

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Gastrointestinal bleeding

4.Disseminated Mucormycosis/Blackfungus

It occurs in people who are already sick, so it is difficult to know the symptoms. However, patients with disseminated infection can also develop mental status changes or coma.

How Is Mucormycosis/Blackfungus Treated?

Firstly, mucormycosis is a serious infection and needs to be treated with prescripted antifungal medicines, usually amphotericin B, posaconazole, isavuconazole. Secondly, these medicines are given through a vein or by mouth. Also, other medicines include fluconazole, voriconazole, echinocandins, do not work against fungi that cause mucormycosis. However, often, mucormycosis requires surgery to cut away the infected infected tissue.

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