Zygomycosis – Causes, Types, Symptoms, Diagnostics and Treatment

Zygomycosis is a fungal infection caused by the fungus from the orders Mucorales and Entomophthorales; this is often confused with Mucormycosis, which is caused by the fungus from the order Mucorales alone. Few survivors of both 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami and 2011 Joplin, Missouri tornado have been diagnosed with Zygomycosis. 

Zygomycosis – Causes 

The chances of a healthy individual being affected with Zygomycosis are very less; it is often caused in individuals who are immunocompromised. Causes of Zygomycosis include: 

1. Stem cell transplantation
2. Poorly controlled diabetes, both Type I and II
3. Organ transplants
4. Use of steroids
5. Intravenous drug usage
6. Renal failure
7. Metabolic acidosis
8. Peritoneal dialysis
9. Leukemia
10. Lymphoma
11. Deferoxamine treatment 

Types of Zygomycosis

Five clinical forms of Zygomycosis include the following: 

1. Rhinocerebral Zygomycosis
2. Pulmonary Zygomycosis
3. Gastrointestinal Zygomycosis
4. Cutaneous Zygomycosis
5. Disseminated Zygomycosis 

Zygomycosis – Signs and Symptoms 

Signs and symptoms of Zygomycosis include: 

1. Swelling of eyes
2. Fever
3. Facial pain
4. Nasal congestion
5. Lethargy
6. Cough
7. Shortness of breath
8. Chest pain
9. Thrombosis
10. Hemoptysis
11. Abdominal pain
12. Nausea
13. Vomiting
14. Diarrhea
15. Visual disturbances like double vision, blurred vision, etc.
16. Gastrointestinal tract infection 

Zygomycosis – Tests and Diagnostics 

The symptoms of Zygomycosis appear very normal; individuals with weak immune system should be taken immediately to the medical practitioner if they show any of the above signs or symptoms. 

Currently, there are no serological procedures available to diagnose Zygomycosis; however, it is believed that certain labs have developed ELISA tests that might help in the detection of Zygomycetes. 

In certain cases, doctors may advise the patients: 

1. To take a CT or MRI scans.
2. See an ENT (Ear-Nose-Throat) Specialist.
3. A tissue specimen may be taken and analyzed. 

Zygomycosis – Treatment

Zygomycosis require an aggressive therapy as it might prove to be fatal otherwise. What are the treatments available for Zygomycosis? The treatments include: 

1. Correcting hyperglycemia.
2. Instituting antifungal administration.
3. Discontinuing steroids.
4. Discontinuation of deferoxamine therapy or treatment.
5. Removing devitalized tissue from the affected area by surgery.
6. Aggressive surgical removal of tissue from the infected area. 

Antifungal drugs that are normally given to patients with Zygomycosis include Amphotericin B, Amphotericin B lipid complex, Posaconazole, Amphotec, Liposomal Amphotericin B. 

NOTE: It is not advisable to take or use these antifungal drugs without the consultation of your medical practitioner. 

Patients with Zygomycosis will be advised to take antifungal drugs for several months. They need to undergo repeated or frequent surgery to remove devitalized tissue. Similarly, they will be advised to take control of their blood sugar levels.

Do not take the symptoms of Zygomycosis easy if you are immunocompromised. 

References: 

Zygomycosis – emedicine; Zygomycosis 

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