Fatal Attraction! Fungus and Man

Mucormycosis is a rapidly progressive disease with an acute course, and represents a classic nosocomial condition. The prognosis is usually poor, with high mortality rates that are influenced by the timeliness of diagnosis and, above all, by the underlying status of the patient. This fungal infection commonly occurs in diabetics, immunocompromised hosts, patients with leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, septicemia, hepatitis, cirrhosis, or renal failure, as well as patients receiving chemotherapy or steroids. Intravenous drug abusers are also at risk. Early detection and treatment are key elements for patient survival. This article describes a case of mucormycosis affecting the palate in an elderly patient with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.