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Arch Dermatol. 2004;140:877-882.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Diagnosis: Systemic zygomycosis with cutaneous embolization and infarction.

MICROSCOPIC FINDINGS

The skin biopsy specimen showed areas of subepidermal hemorrhage with infarction. Within the dermis, numerous large nonseptate branching fungal hyphae were seen invading vessel walls, suggesting an angioinvasive zygomycosis.

DISCUSSION

Zygomycosis (or mucormycosis) is a rare form of invasive fungal infection that is increasingly being recognized in immunocompromised patients. The fungus, found in soil, belongs to the class Zygomycetes. Rhizopus, Absidia, and Mucor belong to the family Mucorales, hence the use of mucormycosis in the literature. The organisms are characterized by broad-branching nonseptate hyphae.

Five clinical forms have been described: rhinocerebral, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, disseminated, and cutaneous.¹ Inhalation, direct inoculation, and ingestion are recognized portals of entry. Pathogenicity is dependent on host immunity, and 40% of cases are described in hematologic malignancies.² Diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression (including cases involving chemotherapy and transplantation), surgical wound contamination,^3-4 burns, and trauma⁵ have been reported as underlying causes. About 90% of patients are neutropenic at . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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Arch Dermatol. 2004;140(7):877-882.
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