The Diagnostic Pitfalls of Mucormycosis

Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis. 2020 Nov 1;12(1):e2020079. doi: 10.4084/MJHID.2020.079. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Background: Invasive mucormycosis is a very aggressive fungal disease among immunocompromised pediatric patients caused by saprophytic fungi that belong to the order of the Mucorales.

Case report: We describe a case of of Lichtheimia corymbifera infection in a 15-year-old child with B-cell-Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL) involving lung, kidney and thyroid that initially was diagnosed as probable aspergillosis delaying the effective therapy for mucormycosis.

Conclusions: This case showed that also the intensive chemotherapy for B-NHL may represent a risk factor for mucormycosis infection. Liposomal amphotericin B and surgery remain the key tools for the successful treatment of this aggressive disease.

Keywords: Fungal infection; Mucormycosis; Pediatric non Hodgkin lymphoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports