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Mucormycosis: A fatal case bySaksenaea vasiformis

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Abstract

A fatal case of mucormycosis in a previously healthy 26-year-old woman who developed a progressive necrotizing lesion is presented. Histopathological and mycological studies revealed the presence of a Zygomycete, which after several cultures proved to beSaksenaea vasiformis. No underlying pathological condition was detected. This case might prove to be the first one of fatalSaksenaea vasiformis infection reported in Latin America, and only the 4th one in the world literature. The relevance of mucormycosis in the diagnosis and management of necrotizing cellulitis is stressed.

Résumé

Un cas fatal de mucormycose concernant une femme de 26 ans en bonne santé et qui développa des lésions nécrotiques progressives est présenté. L'étude histopathologique et mycologique révéla à leur niveau la présence d'un zygomycète qui après plusieurs cultures s'avéra être unSaksenaea vasiformis. Aucune autre lésion sous-jacente ne fut décelée. Cette observation concerne le premier cas d'infection fatale parSaksenaea vasiformis rapporté en Amérique latine et le quatrième des cas publiés dans la littérature mondiale. L'implication de la mucormycose dans le diagnostic et le traitement de la cellulité nécrosante est soulignée.

Resumen

La mucormicosis es una entidad particularmente agresiva, causada por hongos saprofitos de la clase Zigomicetos, orden Mucorales, capaz de producir necrosis fulminante de la piel y de los tejidos subcutáneos difícil de diferenciar de las lesiones por infecciones bacterianas anaeróbicas y aeróbicas. La celulitis gangrenosa zigomicética debe ser considerada en el diagnóstico diferencial de las lesiones necrosantes de la piel, especialmente en diabéticos y en pacientes en estado de incompetencia inmunólogica. En virtud de la naturaleza fulminante de este tipo de infección necrosante micótica, la posibilidad de curación depende de un diagnóstico precoz que haga posible realizar pronta resección y debridación radical.

Se presenta un caso de mucormicosis en una mujer de 26 años de edad, previamente sana, quien desarrolló una lésión necrosante progresiva y fatal. Los estudios histopatológicos y micológicos revelaron la presencia de un zigomiceto, que en cultivos probó serSaksenaea vasiformis. Este caso puede ser el primero de infección fatal porSaksenaea vasiformis informado en América Latina y el cuarto en la literatura médica mundial. Se hace énfasis sobre la relevancia de la mucormicosis en el diagnóstico y manejo de las celulitis necrosantes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Surgical Service, Clínica de Marly, Colombia

    José Félix Patiño M.D., Rafael Mora M.D., Miguel A. Guzmán M.D. & Eduardo Rodríguez-Franco M.D.

  2. Section of Diagnosis and Research, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia

    José Félix Patiño M.D., Rafael Mora M.D., Miguel A. Guzmán M.D. & Eduardo Rodríguez-Franco M.D.

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  1. José Félix Patiño M.D.
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  2. Rafael Mora M.D.
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  3. Miguel A. Guzmán M.D.
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  4. Eduardo Rodríguez-Franco M.D.
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Patiño, J.F., Mora, R., Guzmán, M.A. et al. Mucormycosis: A fatal case bySaksenaea vasiformis . World J. Surg. 8, 419–422 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01655095

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