Mucormycosis: an atrocious mate of patients with diabetes

Mucormycosis also called zygomycosis is a rare infection caused by saprophytic aerobic fungus that belongs to a group of fungi called Mucoromycotina in the order Mucorales. Earlier these fungi were called Zygomycota but this scientific name has recently been changed. Mucormycosis can result in an acute, rapidly advancing and occasionally fatal disease caused by different fungi typically found in the soil and in association with decaying organic matter such as leaves, compost piles or rotten wood. These fungal infections are relatively infrequent; however, they occur in individuals who are debilitated in some major way and occasionally in groups of people with multiple penetrating injuries that are contaminated with soil and water from the environment. Mucormycosis is not contagious and does not spread from person to person.