Mucormycosis: Effect of Comorbidities and Repeated Debridement on the Outcome

Abstract

Introduction: Mucormycosis is an aggressive, invasive infection caused by ubiquitous filamentous fungibelonging to the subphylum Mucormycotina, order Mucorales. Mucormycosis most commonly affects immunocompromised hosts, but are rarely reported in immunocompetent hosts as well. The most common reported sites of invasive mucormycosis have been the sinuses (39%), lungs (24%), and skin (19%). The hallmark of mucormycosis is angioinvasion resulting in vessel thrombosis and hence, tissue necrosis.

Materials and Methods: Ambispective study of 20 cases with mucormycosis seen and treated in our hospital between 2009 and 2015 and followed up to 2017 to compare the prognosis of the cases of repeated debridement with that of single debridement and effect of comorbidities in the outcome of patients mortality .

Results: Out of 20 patients 19 (95%) received Liposomal Amphotericin B. 11 (55%) were male and 9 (45%) were female. All the 7 (35%) who underwent repeated debridement survived. Out of 13 (65%) patients who underwent single debridement, 5 (25%) did not survive. 2 (10%) patients were lost for follow up. The survival amongst the patients undergoing multiple debridement and single debridement was statistically significant (p=0.042)

Conclusion: The chances of survival are better in cases with better controlled comorbid conditions like diabetes mellitus. Repeated debridement with Liposomal Amphotericin B is the most effective mode of management.