Isolated Renal Zygomycosis, A Rare and Lethal Cause of Massive Renal Infarction-Report of Two Cases

Abstract

Zygomycosis (Mucormycosis) is an infection caused by a class Zygomycetes fungi. The fungal organisms classified as Mucorales order cause a spectrum of predominantly angio-invasive disease in immunosuppressed patients. While renal involvement is not so uncommon in disseminated infections, isolated renal involvement is rare. Here we report two cases of isolated renal mucormycosis who presented with abdominal pain. Radiological evaluation showed evidence of pyelonephritis. On histopathological examination complete renal infarction with thrombosed vessels caused by invasive fungal hyphae morphologically suggestive of Mucorales. Renal zygomycosis should be suspected in immunocompromised patients and in patients with abdominal trauma or following surgery with acute abdomen and persistent fever, despite negative urine and blood culture. We present the cases here for their rarity and clinical importance.

Keywords

• angio-invasion
• mucorales
• mucormycosis