Zygomycosis (patient information): Difference between revisions
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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Zygomycosis|here]]''' | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Zygomycosis|here]]''' | ||
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==Overview== | ==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?== | ==What are the symptoms?== | ||
Symptoms of rhinocerebral | Symptoms of rhinocerebral zygomycosis include: | ||
*Eye swelling and protrusion (proptosis) | *Eye swelling and protrusion (proptosis) | ||
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*Sinus pain or congestion | *Sinus pain or congestion | ||
Symptoms of lung (pulmonary) | Symptoms of lung (pulmonary) zygomycosis include: | ||
*Cough | *Cough | ||
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*Shortness of breath | *Shortness of breath | ||
Symptoms of gastrointestinal | Symptoms of gastrointestinal zygomycosis include: | ||
*Abdominal pain | *Abdominal pain | ||
*Vomiting blood | *Vomiting blood | ||
Symptoms of kidney (renal) | Symptoms of kidney (renal) zygomycosis include: | ||
*Fever | *Fever | ||
*Flank (side) pain | *Flank (side) pain | ||
Symptoms of skin (cutaneous) | Symptoms of skin (cutaneous) zygomycosis include a single, painful, hardened area of skin that may have a blackened center. | ||
==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. | |||
Conditions most commonly associated with | 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 | Syndromes associated with zygomycosis include: | ||
Rhinocerebral infection (infection of sinuses and brain) | Rhinocerebral infection (infection of sinuses and brain) | ||
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May cause blood clots that block vessels to the brain (thrombosis) | May cause blood clots that block vessels to the brain (thrombosis) | ||
Pulmonary | 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== | ==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. | 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 | A tissue specimen must be taken and analyzed in order to make a definitive diagnosis of zygomycosis. | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
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==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
Because the fungi that cause | 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. | |||
==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
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[[Category:Disease]] | [[Category:Disease]] | ||
[[Category:Mature chapter]] | [[Category:Mature chapter]] | ||
[[Category:Patient information]] | |||
{{WikiDoc Help Menu}} | {{WikiDoc Help Menu}} | ||
{{WikiDoc Sources}} | {{WikiDoc Sources}} | ||
Revision as of 16:29, 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:
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting blood
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
References
Stevens DA. Aspergillosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 360.