ð åèç
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è â Pathogens
- Mucorales order: Rhizopus (#1), Mucor, Lichtheimia, Rhizomucor
- Aseptate broad ribbon-like hyphae with 90° branching on histology
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è â Risk Factors
- DM (especially DKA) â classic
- Iron overload + deferoxamine (deferoxamine makes iron available)
- Immunocompromise (neutropenic, HSCT, transplant, anti-TNF)
- High-dose corticosteroids
- COVID-19 + steroid use (India 2021 epidemic)
- Burns + trauma
- Voriconazole prophylaxis (selection)
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è â Diagnosis
- Clinical + imaging + histology
- Biopsy: aseptate broad ribbon-like hyphae with 90° branching (PAS/GMS stain)
- Donât grind tissue for culture (decreases yield)
- Black eschar on palate / nasal cavity in DKA
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è â Treatment
- Liposomal Amphotericin B 5-10 mg/kg/d (high-dose) â drug of choice
- EMERGENT surgical debridement
- Reverse predisposing factors (DM control, stop deferoxamine, reduce immunosuppression)
- Step-down: isavuconazole or posaconazole PO consolidation à months
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è â Drugs
- Liposomal AmB = first-line
- Isavuconazole = FDA 2015 for mucor (oral / IV)
- Posaconazole delayed-release tablet alternative
- Echinocandins NOT active (Mucor has no glucan target)
- Voriconazole NOT active + may select for mucor
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è â Iron Chelation Switch
- Deferoxamine = bad (makes iron available to mucor)
- Switch to deferiprone or deferasirox if iron chelation needed (different mechanism)
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è â CAM (COVID-Associated Mucormycosis)
- India 2021 epidemic; > 45,000 cases
- Severe COVID + DM + steroid use
- Rhinocerebral form predominant
- Same treatment principles
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è â Hyphae Comparison
- Aspergillus: septate, 45° branching, 3-5 µm
- Mucor: aseptate (or sparse), 90° branching, broad ribbon-like (5-25 µm)
- Candida: budding yeast + pseudohyphae