What is mucormycosis and how is the treatment of this fungus unique?
Mucormycosis is a rapidly progressive angioinvasive disease associated with high mortality that requires emergent aggressive surgical debridement followed by antifungal therapy (liposomal amphotericin b +/– an echinocandin or triazole). Caused by fungi in the class zygomyces (Rhizopus, Mucor, and Rhizomucor most common) which are ubiquitous in the environment. Risk factors for disease include prolonged neutropenia, iron overload, uncontrolled diabetes with hyperglycemia and acidosis, and treatment with glucocorticoids. The fungus has a predilection for sinus cavities but may involve any bone or joint.
