Indolent cutaneous mucormycosis with pulmonary dissemination in an asthmatic patient: survival after local debridement and amphotericin B therapy

J Formos Med Assoc. 2000 Apr;99(4):354-7.

Abstract

We describe a 68-year-old asthmatic female patient with multiple pulmonary cavities. A preexisting ecthyma on the left lower leg became erythematous and swollen during exacerbation of her asthma which was under treatment with high-dose steroids. Nonseptate broad hyphae were found in her sputum, pus from the wound, and debrided skin tissue. Hematogenous spread of septic emboli from indolent cutaneous mucormycosis to both lungs was the suspected mechanism of dissemination. High-dose steroid therapy may have been the major contributory factor. The patient was successfully treated with local surgical debridement of the wound and intravenous amphotericin B.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use*
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Asthma / complications*
  • Debridement*
  • Dermatomycoses / complications
  • Dermatomycoses / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / therapy*
  • Mucormycosis / complications
  • Mucormycosis / therapy*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Amphotericin B