Opportunistic invasive fungal infection, typically affecting immunocompromised patients (especially uncontrolled diabetics)
Caused by saprophytic fungi (Mucorales)
Found in soil, bread mold, decaying fruits
Fungal spores are dispersed in air → route of entry is inhalation
Infection typically begins in nose and paranasal sinuses
Can also affect pulmonary, GI and CNS systems
Mucorales fungi have vascular proclivity, and can cause thrombosis → tissue and bone necrosis
Prognosis is poor, with 17-51% mortality, higher in cerebral involvement
Found in soil, bread mold, decaying fruits
Infection typically begins in nose and paranasal sinuses
Can also affect pulmonary, GI and CNS systems
6 clinical types, based on location of infection
Rhino-orbital-cerebral (most common form)
Pulmonary
Gastrointestinal
Cutaneous
Disseminated
Miscellaneous
Mucormycosis
Upper respiratory infection, influenza
Blastomycosis
Sinusitis
Coccidioidomycosis
Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma
Paracoccidioidomycosis
Nasal polyp