Rhinocerebral Mucor circinelloides infection in immunocompromised patient following yogurt ingestion

Del Med J. 2014 Aug;86(8):245-8.

Abstract

The purpose of this case report is to illustrate the cause of this patient's headache and sinus pain in the setting of a unique environmental exposure: the patient ingested yogurt only days before presentation. This particular brand of yogurt caused controversy in early September 2013 when the manufacturer voluntarily recalled all flavors. The yogurt was found to be contaminated with Mucor circinelloides. The recall was triggered by the FDA, after receiving many complaints from consumers affected by temporary gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and nausea. This patient was diagnosed with Rhinocerebral mucormycosis through fungal culture of the affected area. He was specifically colonized with Mucor circinelloides, a variant that rarely causes disease in humans. According to a literature review, only eight cases of mucormycosis in adults caused by this strain were documented before 2009.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bone Diseases, Infectious / microbiology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucor*
  • Mucormycosis / etiology*
  • Neutropenia / immunology*
  • Paranasal Sinus Diseases / microbiology*
  • Turbinates*
  • Yogurt / microbiology*