Mucormycosis historical perspective
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Mucormycosis Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Syed Hassan A. Kazmi BSc, MD [2]
Overview
Mucormycosis in humans was was first reported in 1885 by a German pathologoist named Paltauf. The disease named “mucormycosis” was subsequently used by an American pathologist R. D. Baker to denote a mycosis caused by some members of Mucorales. Since its discovery, it has been known to be a lethal infection that mainly affects immune compromised and debilitated individuals. Recently, there has been an increase in its incidence across the world possibly due to increased incidence of diabetes, which is a major risk factor for development of the disease. Diagnosing mucormycosis has been a challenge since its discovery and early diagnosis is one of the keys to successful treatment. Much needs to be done regarding the early diagnosis and optimal treatment for this lethal infection.
Historical Perspective
Mucormycosis is considered to be the most fatal fungal infection known to man because it is rapidly disseminated by the blood vessels and has a high rate of mortality. The first case of mucormycosis in humans was reported in 1885 by a German pathologist named Paltauf, who published a case of upper airway mucormycosis, entitled: “mucormycosis mucorina” in the Virchows archives of pathology and anatomy.[1] Gregory et al described the first case of of rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis in 1943 associated with diabetes. Harris in 1955 reported the first known survivor. Mucormycosis is certainly seen less than other common fungal infections like candidiasis or aspergillosis. However, its incidence has been increasing recently. The disease named “mucormycosis” was subsequently used by an American pathologist R. D. Baker to denote a mycosis caused by some members of Mucorales. It has reported that the frequency of mucormycosis has been increasing over the past 14 years in the United States of America; this fungal infection has been identified in up to 6.8% of patients at autopsy.[2] Another study confirmed that the incidence of this infection is also on the rise in Europe.[3] This rise is partially explained by better diagnostic tools, increased incidence of diabetes mellitus and use of immunosuppressive agents in the modern therapeutic era.[4]
References
- ↑ Bell S, Mahoney L (2000). "Mucormycosis: a case study". Crit Care Nurse. 20 (1): 18–23. PMID 11871522.
- ↑ Brown J (2005). "Zygomycosis: an emerging fungal infection". Am J Health Syst Pharm. 62 (24): 2593–6. doi:10.2146/ajhp050188. PMID 16333056.
- ↑ Lass-Flörl C (2009). "The changing face of epidemiology of invasive fungal disease in Europe". Mycoses. 52 (3): 197–205. PMID 19391253.
- ↑ Saegeman V, Maertens J, Ectors N, Meersseman W, Lagrou K (2010). "Epidemiology of mucormycosis: review of 18 cases in a tertiary care hospital". Med. Mycol. 48 (2): 245–54. doi:10.1080/13693780903059477. PMID 19568978.