Primary Cutaneous Zygomycosis in Two Immunocompromised Children

• Published in: Pediatric dermatology Vol. 24; no. 3; pp. 257 - 262
• Main Authors: Cantatore‐Francis, Julie L., Shin, Helen T., Heilman, Edward, Glick, Sharon A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-05-2007; Blackwell
• Subjects: Adolescent; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections - complications; Alternaria - isolation & purification; Amphotericin B - therapeutic use; Antifungal Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Debridement - methods; Dermatology; Dermatomycoses - diagnosis; Dermatomycoses - therapy; Female; Human mycoses; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Immunodeficiencies; Immunodeficiencies. Immunoglobulinopathies; Immunopathology; Infectious diseases; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute - diagnosis; Medical sciences; Mycoses; Necrosis; Phycomycoses; Skin - pathology; Tropical mycoses; Zygomycosis - diagnosis; Zygomycosis - therapy; Human; Infection; Immunopathology; Pediatrics; Mycosis; Dermatology; Primary; Skin; Child; Immune deficiency; Phycomycosis
• ISSN: 0736-8046; 1525-1470
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-1470.2007.00398.x

:  Zygomycosis, often referred to as ‘‘mucormycosis’’ or ‘‘phycomycosis,’’ is a rapidly progressive fungal infection which usually occurs in immunocompromised individuals, and is characterized by soft tissue destruction and invasion of blood vessels. The rare and easily misdiagnosed primary cutaneous form may present as a superficial erosion with a painless, gradual onset and slow progression of symptoms or a gangrenous, necrotic ulceration due to rapid tissue and vascular invasion. With the latter form, the mortality rate among affected individuals is high even after aggressive surgical debridement and amphotericin B administration, emphasizing the importance of early recognition and proper diagnosis. We present two instances of gangrenous cutaneous zygomycosis in immunocompromised children and review the literature with regard to etiology, diagnosis and treatment, highlighting the pediatric population.