Mucormycosis: Rare Fungal Infection By Molds

Everyone is familiar with mold fungi.  Mold is just about everywhere we go and we are exposed to it heavily.  People go on walks or hikes and mold fungi is present on tree trunks or rocks.  Normally, mold fungi is harmless to people and everyone either is amazed by it or hates it.  However, some molds can be parasitic and dangerous to certain people, specifically people who have weakened immune systems.  One such rare fungal infection caused by molds is mucormycosis.


General Description:
Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection that is caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes.  These fungi are found everywhere in the environment and chances are people interact with the them everyday.  Normally, healthy people do not react to these fungi, but people with weak immune systems can develop complications.  These complications depend on where the fungus enters the body.  This infection is serious and extensive tests may be needed to diagnose a patient.  There are medications to treat this infection but surgery may be needed.

Locations:
This parasitic fungal infection is found in all environments, particularly soil with decaying matter.

Infection Method:
Healthy people do not get infected with this mold, but people with a weakened immune systems may contract the infection by breathing in the spores or coming in contact with the spores through a skin lesion or opening.  Once inside, the fungi spreads and causes a variety of symptoms, depending on the area infected.  This infections cannot be passed from one individual to another.

On the left, facial swelling due to mucormycosis.  On the right, microscopic view of the parasitic fungi that causes this infection.

Symptoms:
Symptoms depend on the area the infection occurs.  If the infection reaches the sinus or brain, the following symptoms can occur:

• headache
• facial swelling
• sinus congestion
• fever
• black lesions in the mouth

If the symptoms occur in the lungs:

• cough
• fever
• shortness of breath
• chest pain

If the symptoms occur on the skin:

• blisters and ulcers
• blackening of affected area
• pain
• excessive redness
• swelling

If the symptoms are in the gastrointestinal area:

• Nausea and vomiting 
• abdominal pain
• gastrointestinal bleeding

If the infection become disseminated, it may be difficult to diagnose the infection and identify the corresponding symptoms.  Some symptoms that may occur because of disseminated mucormycosis are mental status changes and coma.

Treatment:

This condition is diagnosed with samples of lung fluid, biopsies, or X-ray/CT scans of the affected area.  Once diagnosed, the condition can be treated with anti-fungal medication and if the affected area is severe, then surgery can be used to remove some of the infected tissue.

Final Thoughts:
This parasitic infection does not pose a threat to the majority of people.  However, if you have a loved one or you have a condition that weakens your immune system, be on alert when walking close to decomposing material.  I would imagine that if you have a condition like AIDS doctors have told you to be careful about contracting diseases.  The reason it is important to know about infections like mucormycosis is that we can tell people we know with weakened immune systems about such infections.  So if you or a loved one has a weakened immune system, pay attention to where you see mold and remember that there is a chance to get mucormycosis.

I hope this was an informative post for all of you!  Leave a comment or suggestion!

References:
https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/mucormycosis/treatment.html
http://www.acmicrob.com/microbiology/asymptomatic-fasciola-hepatica-infectionpresenting-with-hypereosinophilia.php?aid=21962