What is the meaning of mucormycosis?

Mucormycosis. Mucormycosis (previously called zygomycosis) is a serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes. These molds live throughout the environment. Mucormycosis mainly affects people with weakened immune systems and can occur in nearly any part of the body.

Can you get mucormycosis from a cut?

It can also occur on the skin after a cut, burn, or other type of skin injury. Small outbreaks or clusters of mucormycosis can occur in certain groups of people, such as those who have had an organ transplant. CDC usually investigates one to three of these clusters each year.

What is rhinocerebral mucormycosis (RMC)?

When the sinuses and brain is involved, this infection can be referred to as rhinocerebral mucormycosis. When the infection spreads to the eye, there can be swelling due to fluid buildup around the eyes (periorbital edema), bulging or displacement of the eye (proptosis), vision loss, and potentially blindness.

What is the role of CT scan in the workup of mucormycosis?

CT scan images of mucormycosis can be useful to distinguish mucormycosis of the orbit and cellulitis of the orbit, but imaging may look identical to those of aspergillosis. MRI may also be useful. Currently, MRI with gadolinium contrast is investigation of choice in rhinoorbito cerebral mucormycosis.

What causes mucormycosis and aspergillosis?

Mucormycosis and aspergillosis are rare, invasive and life-threatening infections. The causative agents being namely: Aspergillus fumigatus and Rhizopus arrhizus. The case fatality rates being over 50\%, respectively [3].

Why is black fungus a global epidemic?

Invasive “black fungus” (Mucormycosis) is creating an epidemic within a global pandemic. The unique socio-economic, genetic and health status of Indian population culminates into a melting pot which sustains the viable triad for the “black fungus” infection to gain a stronghold.