A Clinicopathological and Mycological Study of Chronic

The class zygomycetes is divided into two orders mucorales and entomophthorales which produce dramatically different infections in humans collectively termed zygomycosis. Genera from the order entomophthorales are known to produce chronic subcutaneous infections called entomophthoromycosis in immunocompetent individuals. Over recent years the clinical importance of entomophthorales has significantly increased. The scope of disease involvement with this group of organisms has expanded beyond their role as weak pathogens causing localized disease in healthy individuals, to include them as causes of opportunistic infections and disseminated disease in individuals at risk. Early diagnosis, along with surgical debridement of affected tissues and systemic antifungals are needed for a successful outcome. Diagnosis of entomophthoromycosis is however difficult and is often made after a delay due to difficulty in demonstration and extraction of fungal elements from invaded tissues. The clinical manifestations, clinicopathologic and mycological findings and treatment outcomes of six patients diagnosed as having rhinofacial entomophthoromycosis are documented in the present study