Oral Presentation Australian Society for Microbiology Annual Scientific Meeting 2013

Mucormycosis: a furry foe (#102)

Susan Coloe 1 , Wen Gu , Lyn Waring
  1. Melbourne Pathology, Collingwood, VIC, Australia

Members of the order Mucorales are emerging invasive fungi which may cause life threatening infections particularly in immunocompromised patients. Whilst Rhizopus species are the most common zygomycetes causing invasive mucormycosis less commonly encountered species are also occasionally found to cause invasive disease.

We present a case of a 58 year old man diagnosed with chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL) who, post chemotherapy, presented with various medical conditions including candidemia and Herpes zoster. Following progression of his CLL, treatment with high doses of immunosuppressants and chemotherapy were initiated, however the patient's condition deteriorated. A lobectomy revealed angio-invasive fungus with associated necrotising arteritis and extensive infarction. The hyphae resembled a zygomycete and a diagnosis of invasive mucormycosis was made. Unfortunately despite increasing doses of liposomal amphotericin and posaconazole the patient passed away.