Orbital mucormycosis in immunocompetent children; review of risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment approach

BMC Infect Dis. 2020 Oct 19;20(1):770. doi: 10.1186/s12879-020-05460-2.

Abstract

Background: Orbital mucormycosis is a rare but potentially severe and troublesome invasive fungal infection that could be occurred even in healthy individuals. The initial clinical presentation is similar to bacterial pre-septal or septal cellulitis, especially in early stages.

Case presentation: Herein, we describe the successful management of a series of five cases presenting with orbital mucormycosis in previously healthy children.

Conclusions: Orbital mucormycosis is extremely rare in healthy children and maybe life-threatening when diagnosis delayed given a similar clinical presentation with bacterial septal cellulitis. Intravenous antifungal therapy with amphotericin B and timely surgical drainage is live-saving.

Keywords: Children; Immunocompetent; Mucormycosis; Orbital.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cellulitis / diagnosis
  • Cellulitis / drug therapy
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Mucormycosis* / diagnosis
  • Mucormycosis* / drug therapy
  • Mucormycosis* / etiology
  • Orbital Diseases / diagnosis
  • Orbital Diseases / drug therapy
  • Orbital Diseases / etiology
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Amphotericin B