Mucormycosis can cause necrotizing soft tissue infections in survivors of a natural disaster. These organisms may require aggressive management including surgical debridement and systemic antifungal therapy..
These infections may occur after:
(1) a tornado
(2) a tsunami
(3) a volcanic eruption
(4) a hurricaine
(5) an earthquake
Risk factors include:
(1) immunosuppression
(2) diabetes
(3) hematologic malignancy
(4) trauma during the event (lacerations, penetrating soft tissue injuries, etc)
(5) wood splinters or plant debris
Clinical features:
(1) necrotizing soft tissue infection
(2) positive fungal cultures
(3) histologic evidence of fungal hyphae in debrided tissue
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