Early diagnosis and successful management of oral mucormycosis in a hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient: case report and literature review

Support Care Cancer. 2016 Aug;24(8):3343-6. doi: 10.1007/s00520-016-3170-x. Epub 2016 Mar 14.

Abstract

Purpose: Oral mucormycosis is a rare and high risk of infection in patients following hematopoietic cell transplantation few cases in the literature. We review the literature and present an additional case to emphasize the subtle changes that resulted in positive outcome when diagnosed and managed in a comprehensive transplant team.

Results: A patient was diagnosed with gingival mucormycosis on day +25 following a hematopoietic stem cell transplant for lymphoblastic transformation of chronic myeloid leukemia. The patient was diagnosed with minor and nonspecific symptoms and was successfully treated with local dental extraction, a short course of liposomal amphotericin B and 4 months of oral posaconazole.

Conclusions: The good outcome of this case highlights the subtle clinical changes that present early in mucormycosis and the importance of early detection and treatment of post-transplant oral infections by an experienced multidisciplinary team.

Keywords: Hematopoietic stem cell transplant; Oral mucormycosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mucormycosis / diagnosis*
  • Mucormycosis / therapy*
  • Transplantation Conditioning / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents