Unusual orbital mucormycosis due to pecking injury: clinical characteristics and outcomes of four immunocompetent pediatric patients

Orbit. 2024 Oct;43(5):649-655. doi: 10.1080/01676830.2023.2252054. Epub 2023 Sep 12.

Abstract

Mucormycosis is a serious fungal infection caused by fungi in the order of Mucorales. Orbital mucormycosis occurs more frequently in rhino-orbital, sino-orbital, and rhino-orbito-cerebral forms of the disease, while isolated orbital mucormycosis is much less common. Herein, we present four cases of immunocompetent children who developed primary cutaneous mucormycosis, which subsequently invaded and progressed to orbital mucormycosis following direct traumatic injury caused by pecking from Acridotheres tristis (Common Myna). Given the low prevalence of orbital mucormycosis in healthy children, an unknown source of infection and delayed diagnosis followed by late therapeutic interventions could result in life-threatening conditions and serious sequelae.

Keywords: Mucomycosis; children; immunocompetent; orbital; zygomycosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antifungal Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Eye Infections, Fungal* / diagnosis
  • Eye Infections, Fungal* / drug therapy
  • Eye Infections, Fungal* / microbiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence*
  • Male
  • Mucormycosis* / diagnosis
  • Mucormycosis* / drug therapy
  • Mucormycosis* / microbiology
  • Orbital Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Orbital Diseases* / diagnostic imaging
  • Orbital Diseases* / drug therapy
  • Orbital Diseases* / etiology
  • Orbital Diseases* / microbiology
  • Orbital Diseases* / therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents