Gastrointestinal mucormycosis after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and prolonged hospitalization: A case report and review of the literature

Adam Di Palma; Herawaty Sebajang; Frank Schwenter

doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2016.07.026

Gastrointestinal mucormycosis after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and prolonged hospitalization: A case report and review of the literature

Int J Surg Case Rep. 2016:27:195-197. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2016.07.026. Epub 2016 Jul 27.

Authors

Adam Di Palma¹, Herawaty Sebajang², Frank Schwenter³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgery, CHUM, 3840 rue Saint-Urbain, Montréal, Québec H2W 1T8, Canada; Department of Surgery, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec H3C 3J7, Canada. Electronic address: adam.di.palma@umontreal.ca.
² Department of Surgery, CHUM, 3840 rue Saint-Urbain, Montréal, Québec H2W 1T8, Canada; Department of Surgery, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec H3C 3J7, Canada. Electronic address: sebajang@hotmail.com.
³ Department of Surgery, CHUM, 3840 rue Saint-Urbain, Montréal, Québec H2W 1T8, Canada; Department of Surgery, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec H3C 3J7, Canada. Electronic address: frank.schwenter.chum@ssss.gouv.qc.ca.

Abstract

Introduction: Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection typically affecting immunocompromised hosts. One form of the disease affects the gastrointestinal tract.

Presentation of case: We present the case of a 70-year old patient with no recognized risk factors that developed gastrointestinal mucormycosis after urgent abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Discussion: There are several risk factors for this infection, such as hematological malignancies, solid organ or stem cell transplants and diabetes. The infectious agent causes thrombosis and necrosis of involved tissues and organs and carries a high mortality rate.

Conclusion: Mucormycosis is an opportunistic infection which can sometimes affect the gastrointestinal tract. A high index of suspicion is necessary in order to make an early diagnosis and promptly start an appropriate treatment regimen.