Cutaneous mucormycosis in the immunocompromised host: An important cause of persistent post traumatic skin lesions

Abstract

We describe a case of a 31-year-old man with a history of ocular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who presented with a large 12-cm non-resolving traumatic skin lesion on his back. Biopsy showed fungal elements, and on fungal culture, Rhizopus arrhizus (formerly R. oryzae) was isolated. Cutaneous mucormycosis is an important diagnostic consideration for a non-resolving skin lesion in an immunocompromised host. Early tissue sampling is key, and diagnostic certainty is particularly important because first line therapy, liposomal amphotericin B, has significant systemic toxicities, notable renal toxicity, and is therefore challenging to continue empirically. Surgical debridement is an integral part of therapy, highlighting the need for early multidisciplinary care in patients with cutaneous mucormycosis.

Keywords

• Cutaneous
• Mucormycosis
• Rhizopus
• Immunocompromised
• Traumatic