Rhino-Orbital Mucormycosis in an Immunocompetent Adult

Mucormycosis is a rare life threatening opportunistic fungal infection caused by fungi of Mycorales order belonging to the Phycomycetes class. Rhizopus oryzae species accounts for 60 % of all forms of mucormycosis and 90 % of rhino-orbito-cerebral cases (1). These pathogens are ubiquitious spore forming saprophytes that invade host tissues especially blood vessels, causing thrombosis, infarction and eventual necrosis (2). Mucormycosis usually develops in the patients with diabetes,prolonged corticosteroid use, hematological malignancies, chronic renal failure and other immunocompromised states. It is rare even in high risk patients, representing 8.3- 13 % of all fungal infections.(3). Mucormycosis follows a rapid progressive course and if left untreated it is rapidly fatal. This case report is significant because, although a diagnosis of Orbital mucormycosis is rare in adult immunocompetent individuals, it should remain as a differential in patients presenting with orbital cellultits. Mucormycosis is a rare life threatening opportunistic fungal infection caused by fungi of Mycorales order belonging to the Phycomycetes class.Mucormycosis usually develops in the patients with diabetes,prolonged corticosteroid use, hematological malignancies, chronic renal failure and other immunocompromised states. Incidently we here by report a case of young immunocompetent adult without any obious risk factors for Mucormycosis presenting with rhinoorbital swelling