Mucor irregularis infection around the inner canthus cured by amphotericin B: a case report and review of published literatures

Mycopathologia. 2014 Aug;178(1-2):129-33. doi: 10.1007/s11046-014-9770-4. Epub 2014 Jun 20.

Abstract

We report a case of primary cutaneous mucormycosis caused by Mucor irregularis. A 47-year-old farmer was presented to our clinic with the history of progressive red plaque around the inner canthus following dacryocystectomy about a year earlier. Linear, aseptate hyphae were seen by direct KOH examination and in biopsy. Fungal culture revealed light yellow filamentous colonies that were identified as Mucor irregularis by nucleotide sequencing of rRNA gene. Amphotericin B and dexamethasone were used in gradually increasing dosage. The treatment lasted 43 days, and the patient received 760 mg total amphotericin B. The patient was discharged after 2 months of treatment. The plaque became smooth, and fungal culture was negative. There was no recurrence for half a year through telephone follow-ups. A review of published studies revealed 23 cases of Mucor irregularis infection. Most cases resulted following injuries or surgical complications. Farmers and manual laborers were most at risk with males outnumbering females among patients. Amphotericin B and its liposomal preparations remain most effective treatment choices.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Biopsy
  • Dermatomycoses / diagnosis*
  • Dermatomycoses / drug therapy
  • Dermatomycoses / microbiology
  • Dermatomycoses / pathology
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Eye Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Eye Diseases / drug therapy
  • Eye Diseases / microbiology
  • Eye Diseases / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microbiological Techniques
  • Microscopy
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mucor / classification
  • Mucor / isolation & purification*
  • Mucormycosis / diagnosis*
  • Mucormycosis / drug therapy
  • Mucormycosis / microbiology
  • Mucormycosis / pathology
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Dexamethasone
  • Amphotericin B

Associated data

  • GENBANK/KF112874