Zigomicosis are fungal infections produced by ubiquitous filamentous fungi (they are in the environment, organic matter, usually or manure) that belong to the zigomicycetes class and that are divided into two orders: murals and entomoforal. Infections caused by murals called mucormycosis, are rapid evolution with an aggressive clinical course. The human being has an effective and rapid response to zigomicostos so these fungal infections fundamentally affect patients with the weakened immune system.
Causes of zigomicosis
Zigomicostic class fungi
The fungi of the zigomicostic class are present in the environment, soil, manure and/or organic matter and the infection is produced by inhalation of spores, direct inoculation in a wound or injury of the skin or by intake of contaminated foods. All fungi of the zigomicycetes class grow rapidly and sporulate in abundance. They colonize foods rich in simple carbohydrates since their main energy source is glycose carbon. They grow optimally to about 27ºC and in a humid atmosphere.
– Of the order of the murals, which give rise to mucormyosis are: ‘Absidia chorymbifera’, ‘apophysomyces elegans’, ‘mucor indicus’, ‘Syncephalastrum racmanosum’.
– In the order of the entomoforal are: ‘Basidiobolus ranoum’ and ‘conidiobolus coronatus/conidiobolus incongruus’.
Infections caused by murals are characterized by their rapid evolution, with tissue destruction and invasion of blood vessels. The types of zigomicosis are:
– Rhinocerebral zigomicosis. It can be considered as the most frequent. It begins in the paranasal sinuses due to the inhalation of spores and extends to the eye and brain.
– Pulmonary zigomicosis. It usually appears in patients with neutropenia.
– Cutaneous zigomicosis. It appears by inoculation of the fungus in the skin. It is very invasive and compromises tissues such as: subcutaneous cell tissues, fat, muscle, connective tissue (facia) and bone.
– Gastrointestinal zigomicosis. They occur in cases of extreme malnutrition or in patients with severe systemic diseases such as AIDS or systemic lupus erythematosus. Above all, it invades stomach, colon and ileum with mucosa, submucosa and blood vessels. Signs with necrotizing enterocolitis in premature children and adults dough injuries in the appendix. It is very serious forecast.
– Disseminated zigomicosis. It occurs in patients with the weakened immune system. It usually enters at the pulmonary level although it can also do it from the gastrointestinal tract, the paranasal sinuses or through skin lesions. It can reach the brain, spleen, heart and other organs.
The main risk factors for suffering from zigomicosis are to suffer:
– Neutropenia.
– Hyperglycemia.
– Acidosis.
– Hemochromatosis.
– Not treated diabetes. Diabetic ketoacidosis.
Zigomicosis symptoms
It depends on the type of zigomicosis
Depending on the type of zigomicosis the signs are:
– Rhinocerebral zigomicosis. Nasal congestion, nasal congestion with blood, retro-ocular headache, fever and discomfort. It can evolve to periorbital edema, blurred vision or loss of vision and even necrosis in the palate.
– Pulmonary zigomicosis. Symptoms include persistent fever after broad -spectrum antibiotics administration, non -productive cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing difficulty, pain
– Cutaneous zigomicosis. The signs are: erythema and progression to necrosis.
– Gastrointestinal zigomicosis. The symptoms are: pain, abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting even with blood, diarrhea that can be with blood and fever.
– Disseminated zigomicosis. You can present the symptoms of all types of zigomicosis described above.
Zigomicosis diagnosis
Early diagnosis is key
Given the suspicion of zigomicosis, the diagnosis, apart from the physical examination and the description of symptoms, must include: Evaluation of sputum, nasal secretions, blood and urine samples. Samples obtained by fine needle aspiration, transbronchial biopsies, sinus -sinus biopsies, scraped of necrotic lesions and open biopsies may also be required. Crops require a minimum incubation of 3 to 5 days.
Treatment and medication of zigomicosis
Surgery and antifungal therapy
The treatment and medication of zigomicosis consists of the surgical elimination of infected tissue and intensive treatment with antifungal drugs. The prognosis is usually reserved since they vary depending on the affected area and the health status of the patient.
Zigomicosis prevention
Avoid the possibility of fungi infection
People with risk factors of developing a zigomicosis should avoid the possibility of infection, for example, use masks that prevent spore inhalation and protect wounds against the inoculation of fungi.
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