Mucormycosis: A sweet enemy, case series

Abstract

Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection caused by fungi of the Mucorales order that occurs in immunocompromised individuals or with loss of skin or mucosa barrier integrity. This report presents four cases of rhinocerebral mucormycosis attended at a third-level hospital in Cali (Colombia) during a period of three years. All patients had different case histories and times of evolution. All four had a previous or de novo diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus, with glycated hemoglobin higher than 10% on admission. We ruled out other possible pathologies that could explain their immunocompromised condition. Mucormycosis diagnosis was made with direct visualization of hyaline coenocytic hyphae on biopsies. The basis of treatment was liposomal amphotericin B and surgical debridement. Two patients presented bacterial coinfection. One asked for voluntary discharge without having completed the treatment, and another one died. The remaining two have attended controls and had an adequate evolution.