Fungal Diseases

Treatment & Outcomes of Mucormycosis

How is Mucormycosis Treated?

Mucormycosis needs to be treated with antifungal medication prescribed by a health care provider. These medications are given by mouth or through a vein. Skin infections with the fungus may require surgery to cut away the infected tissue.

In cutaneous mucormycosis, wounds should be thoroughly debrided and resected in conjunction with antifungal-based therapy debrided and resected, antifungal therapy (conventional or lipid formulations of amphotericin B) should be administered, and control of the underlying immunocompromising condition should be attempted when possible.. The prognosis is poor if the underlying disease cannot be controlled. The efficacy of other treatments, including the antifungal drug posaconazole, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, is uncertain, but these agents have been described as useful in certain situations.

Outcomes

The overall prognosis of the infection depends on several factors, including the rapidity of diagnosis and treatment, the site of infection, and underlying conditions and degree of immunosuppression in the patient. The overall mortality rate is approximately 50%, although early identification and treatment can lead to better outcomes.