Zygomycosis (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Zygomycosis is a fungal infection of the | Zygomycosis is a fungal infection of the [[sinus]]es, brain, or lungs that occurs mostly in people with weakened immune systems. | ||
==What are the symptoms?== | ==What are the symptoms?== | ||
Symptoms of rhinocerebral zygomycosis include: | Symptoms of rhinocerebral zygomycosis include: | ||
*Eye swelling and protrusion (proptosis) | *Eye swelling and protrusion ([[proptosis]]) | ||
*Dark nasal eschar (scabbing) | *Dark nasal [[eschar]] (scabbing) | ||
*Fever | *[[Fever]] | ||
*Headache | *[[Headache]] | ||
*Redness of skin overlying sinuses | *Redness of skin overlying sinuses | ||
*Sinus pain or congestion | *Sinus pain or [[congestion]] | ||
Symptoms of lung (pulmonary) zygomycosis include: | Symptoms of lung (pulmonary) zygomycosis include: | ||
*[[Cough]] | |||
*Cough | *[[Hemoptysis|Coughing blood]] (occasionally) | ||
*Coughing blood (occasionally) | |||
*Fever | *Fever | ||
*Shortness of breath | *[[Dyspnea|Shortness of breath]] | ||
Symptoms of gastrointestinal zygomycosis include: | Symptoms of gastrointestinal zygomycosis include: | ||
*Abdominal pain | *[[Abdominal pain]] | ||
*Vomiting blood | *[[Hematemesis|Vomiting blood]] | ||
Symptoms of kidney (renal) zygomycosis include: | Symptoms of kidney (renal) zygomycosis include: | ||
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==What are the causes?== | ==What are the causes?== | ||
Zygomycosis is caused by common fungi frequently found in the soil and in decaying vegetation. Most individuals are exposed to these fungi on a daily basis, but people with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to infection. | Zygomycosis is caused by common fungi frequently found in the soil and in decaying vegetation. Most individuals are exposed to these fungi on a daily basis, but people with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to [[infection]]. | ||
Conditions most commonly associated with zygomycosis include diabetes (usually poorly controlled diabetes), chronic steroid use, metabolic acidosis, organ | Conditions most commonly associated with zygomycosis include [[diabetes]] (usually poorly controlled diabetes), [[chronic]] [[steroid]] use, [[metabolic acidosis]], [[organ transplant]]ation, [[leukemia]], [[lymphoma]], treatment with [[deferoxamine]], and [[AIDS]]. | ||
Syndromes associated with zygomycosis include: | Syndromes associated with zygomycosis include: | ||
Rhinocerebral infection (infection of sinuses and brain) | *Rhinocerebral infection (infection of sinuses and brain) | ||
May start as a sinus infection | **May start as a [[sinus]] infection | ||
May progress to involve inflammation of cranial | **May progress to involve [[inflammation]] of [[cranial nerve]]s | ||
May cause blood | **May cause blood [[clot]]s that block vessels to the brain ([[thrombosis]]) | ||
Pulmonary zygomycosis (lung involvement) -- pneumonia that gets worse quickly and may spread to the chest cavity, heart, and brain | *[[Pulmonary]] zygomycosis (lung involvement) -- [[pneumonia]] that gets worse quickly and may spread to the chest cavity, heart, and brain | ||
*Zygomycosis of the [[gastrointestinal tract]], skin, and [[kidney]]s | |||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
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A tissue specimen must be taken and analyzed in order to make a definitive diagnosis of zygomycosis. | A tissue specimen must be taken and analyzed in order to make a definitive diagnosis of zygomycosis. | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
Surgery should be done immediately to remove all dead and infected tissue. Surgery can lead to disfiguration because it may involve removal of the palate, parts of the nose, or parts of the eye. Without such aggressive surgery, however, chances of survival are greatly decreased | Surgery should be done immediately to remove all dead and infected tissue. Surgery can lead to disfiguration because it may involve removal of the [[palate]], parts of the nose, or parts of the eye. Without such aggressive surgery, however, chances of survival are greatly decreased. | ||
You will also receive antifungal medicines through a [[vein]]. | |||
==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
Because the fungi that cause zygomycosis are widespread, the most appropriate preventive measures involve improved control of the underlying illnesses associated with zygomycosis. | Because the fungi that cause zygomycosis are widespread, the most appropriate preventive measures involve improved control of the underlying illnesses associated with zygomycosis. | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
Zygomycosis has an extremely high death rate even when aggressive surgery is done. Death rates range from 25 - 85% depending on the body area involved and your overall health. | Zygomycosis has an extremely high death rate even when aggressive surgery is done. Death rates range from 25 - 85% depending on the body area involved and your overall health. | ||
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==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
*Blindness (if the optic nerve is involved) | *Blindness (if the optic nerve is involved) | ||
* | *[[Clot]]ting or blockage of brain or lung blood vessels ([[thrombosis]]) | ||
*Death | *Death | ||
*Nerve damage | *Nerve damage | ||
== | ==Sources== | ||
Stevens DA. Aspergillosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 360. | * http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000649.htm | ||
* Stevens DA. Aspergillosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 360. | |||
[[Category:Infectious disease]] | [[Category:Infectious disease]] | ||
Revision as of 16:40, 13 December 2012
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Zygomycosis |
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Zygomycosis On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Zygomycosis is a fungal infection of the sinuses, brain, or lungs that occurs mostly in people with weakened immune systems.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of rhinocerebral zygomycosis include:
- Eye swelling and protrusion (proptosis)
- Dark nasal eschar (scabbing)
- Fever
- Headache
- Redness of skin overlying sinuses
- Sinus pain or congestion
Symptoms of lung (pulmonary) zygomycosis include:
- Cough
- Coughing blood (occasionally)
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
Symptoms of gastrointestinal zygomycosis include:
Symptoms of kidney (renal) zygomycosis include:
- Fever
- Flank (side) pain
Symptoms of skin (cutaneous) zygomycosis include a single, painful, hardened area of skin that may have a blackened center.
What are the causes?
Zygomycosis is caused by common fungi frequently found in the soil and in decaying vegetation. Most individuals are exposed to these fungi on a daily basis, but people with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to infection.
Conditions most commonly associated with zygomycosis include diabetes (usually poorly controlled diabetes), chronic steroid use, metabolic acidosis, organ transplantation, leukemia, lymphoma, treatment with deferoxamine, and AIDS.
Syndromes associated with zygomycosis include:
- Rhinocerebral infection (infection of sinuses and brain)
- May start as a sinus infection
- May progress to involve inflammation of cranial nerves
- May cause blood clots that block vessels to the brain (thrombosis)
- Pulmonary zygomycosis (lung involvement) -- pneumonia that gets worse quickly and may spread to the chest cavity, heart, and brain
- Zygomycosis of the gastrointestinal tract, skin, and kidneys
Diagnosis
Zygomycosis should be suspected if symptoms appear in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients. Symptoms of rhinocerebral zygomycosis are most likely to occur among immunosuppressed people.
Depending on where the symptoms are, CT scans or MRIs may be done. Evaluation by an ear-nose-throat specialist is recommended if sinus involvement is suspected.
A tissue specimen must be taken and analyzed in order to make a definitive diagnosis of zygomycosis.
Treatment options
Surgery should be done immediately to remove all dead and infected tissue. Surgery can lead to disfiguration because it may involve removal of the palate, parts of the nose, or parts of the eye. Without such aggressive surgery, however, chances of survival are greatly decreased.
You will also receive antifungal medicines through a vein.
Prevention
Because the fungi that cause zygomycosis are widespread, the most appropriate preventive measures involve improved control of the underlying illnesses associated with zygomycosis.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Zygomycosis has an extremely high death rate even when aggressive surgery is done. Death rates range from 25 - 85% depending on the body area involved and your overall health.
Possible complications
- Blindness (if the optic nerve is involved)
- Clotting or blockage of brain or lung blood vessels (thrombosis)
- Death
- Nerve damage
Sources
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000649.htm
- Stevens DA. Aspergillosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 360.