Early Diagnosis of Cutaneous Mucormycosis Due to Lichtheimia corymbifera After a Traffic Accident

Mycopathologia. 2016 Feb;181(1-2):119-24. doi: 10.1007/s11046-015-9943-9. Epub 2015 Sep 12.

Abstract

A case report of cutaneous mucormycosis and obstacles to early diagnosis is presented. A 38-year-old male was involved in a car accident that led to amputation of both lower limbs. Subsequently, he developed fungal wound infection of the left lower limb stump. The infection was detected very early, although the diagnosis was difficult because only a small area was affected and histopathological examination was initially negative. The infection was proven by microscopy, culture and histopathology. The isolate was identified by sequencing of the rDNA ITS region gene (internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA) as Lichtheimia corymbifera. Liposomal amphotericin B and surgery were successful in management of the disease.

Keywords: Amphotericin B; Cutaneous mucormycosis; Lichtheimia corymbifera; Mycological diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic
  • Adult
  • Amphotericin B / administration & dosage
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage
  • DNA, Fungal / chemistry
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / chemistry
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / genetics
  • Debridement
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Histocytochemistry
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microscopy
  • Mucorales / classification
  • Mucorales / genetics
  • Mucorales / isolation & purification*
  • Mucormycosis / diagnosis*
  • Mucormycosis / microbiology
  • Mucormycosis / pathology
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Wound Infection / diagnosis*
  • Wound Infection / microbiology
  • Wound Infection / pathology
  • Wounds and Injuries / complications*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • DNA, Fungal
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer
  • liposomal amphotericin B
  • Amphotericin B