Mucormycosis – Honduras
- September 7, 2021
- < 1 min read
15 cases of mucormycosis have been reported in Honduras.
Mucormycosis is a fungal disease caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes. It mainly affects the lung after spores of the fungus are inhaled.
Of the 15 cases, 10 people who were also infected with Covid-19, died.
Photo: Mucor fungus species.
Mucormycosis is a fungal infection. Generally, species in the Mucor, Rhizopus, Absidia, and Cunninghamella genera are most often implicated.
Common sources of infections are from soil and damp walls on old buildings.
It can infect the sinuses and brain, lungs, skin and digestive tract. The infection in some cases also spreads through the bloodstream where it can result in the formation of blood clots and tissue death in the surrounding areas. Patients with this disease frequently need amputations due to necrotized tissue when blood clots form.
Mostly mucormycosis occurs with underlying conditions such as diabetes, HIV, lymphomas kidney failure and immunosuppressive therapy. However, in some cases infection is reported without any predisposing factors present.
It has been reported in association with COVID-19 and may be caused by treatment with corticosteroids.
It is a very rare infection. Hospital outbreaks are a risk where infection can spread through contaminated hospital linen.
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