What is zygomycosis? Causes, early symptoms, and treatment options
Zygomycosis is a rare fungal disease , but it is particularly serious for patients with weakened immune systems. These fungal infections are caused by environmentally present fungi from the Zygomycete family, which cause serious, rapidly developing problems.
Once the first symptoms of this type of fungal infection are detected, which in healthy individuals is usually not very serious, prompt action is essential, although the prognosis will always be reserved depending on the underlying disease and the patient's health status.
What characterizes zygomycosis fungi?
Zygomycosis is a term that refers to infectious diseases caused by fungal agents that produce different clinical pathologies. Mucormycosis, a variety of this infection, is characterized by acute vascular invasion and necrosis, which affects immunosuppressed patients .
Another variant, entomophthormycosis, is usually a chronic process in certain immunocompetent individuals in tropical areas. Regardless of its manifestation, zygomycosis is caused by fungi present in soil, organic matter, and manure, and is transmitted through the inhalation of spores or through an open wound.
Humans can also become infected through contaminated food , especially colonizing foods rich in simple carbohydrates, as their energy source is the carbon in glucose. Humid heat especially favors their proliferation.
First symptoms of zygomycosis
Although, as we mentioned above, symptoms vary depending on the patient's clinical situation and the underlying disease (this infection is particularly prevalent in cases of poorly controlled diabetes and ketoacidosis ).
However, in general, what the patient may experience in the early stages of infection is some generalized pain, fever, and, in more severe cases, tissue necrosis . In other manifestations of this infection, the pulmonary ones, there may be pain in the pleura, persistent cough, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, vomiting blood, and/or dyspnea.
What treatment is there for this infectious disease?
At the slightest suspicion of zygomycosis, it is essential to get a diagnosis and take immediate action, as it progresses very rapidly. The doctor will perform a physical examination and analyze sputum, nasal secretions, blood, and urine samples.
If there is any doubt or further confirmation is needed, the specialist will request a transbronchial biopsy, a biopsy of the paranasal sinuses, scrapings of neurotic lesions, and open biopsies.
Once zygomycosis has been diagnosed, the infected tissue must be removed in surgery and then reinforced with antifungal medications. The outcome will be better or worse depending on the area, the affected area, the fungus strain involved, and the patient's previous health.
ReferencesD. Curutchet. Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires. 'Zygomycosis'. Published in the Argentine Journal of Dermatology. Accessed online at https://www.scielo.org.ar/ on May 29, 2025.
Alexandro Bonifaz, Teresa Barrón, Juan Collazo-Jaloma . 'Cutaneous zygomycosis (mucormycosis) in a patient with leukemia'. Published in AEDV vol. 93, issue 8. Accessed online at https://www.actasdermo.org/es-zigomicosis-mucormicosis-cutanea-paciente-con-articulo-13039110 on May 29, 2025.
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