An increasing trend of cutaneous zygomycosis caused by Mycocladus corymbifer (formerly Absidia corymbifera): report of two cases and review of primary cutaneous Mycocladus infections

Med Mycol. 2009;47(5):532-8. doi: 10.1080/13693780802595746.

Abstract

Cutaneous zygomycosis is a rare but serious infection in trauma patients. We report two cases of cutaneous zygomycosis caused by Mycocladus corymbifer (formerly Absidia corymbifera) which were probably the result of soil contamination of wounds of the patient's lower extremities. Both patients received appropriate antifungal therapy in combination with aggressive surgical debridement. While a cure was achieved with amphotericin B in one, the other patient was intolerant to this antifungal and cure was achieved with a new drug, posaconazole. Twenty seven cases (including the two cases in this study) of cutaneous M. corymbifer zygomycosis reported in the literature were reviewed. The data showed an increase in infections with 16 cases (59.2%) reported since 2002.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Absidia / cytology
  • Absidia / isolation & purification*
  • Adult
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Debridement
  • Dermatomycoses / diagnosis*
  • Dermatomycoses / drug therapy
  • Dermatomycoses / surgery
  • Foot
  • Humans
  • Leg
  • Male
  • Triazoles / therapeutic use
  • Zygomycosis / diagnosis*
  • Zygomycosis / drug therapy
  • Zygomycosis / surgery

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Triazoles
  • posaconazole
  • Amphotericin B