Ten Years' Experience in Zygomycosis at a Tertiary Care Centre in India

OBJECTIVE: To define the spectrum of zygomycosis due to mucorales in an Indian scenario. METHODS: One-hundred and twenty-nine patients with zygomycosis due to mucorales diagnosed at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India during 1990-99, were retrospectively analysed regarding the sites of involvement, underlying disease, species of fungi isolated and outcome of therapy. RESULTS: Higher prevalence rate (19.4%) was observed in 1999. Rhino-orbito-cerebral type (44.2%) was the commonest presentation followed by cutaneous (15.5%) and renal (14.0%) involvement. Disseminated zygomycosis was seen in 11.6% patients. Pulmonary and gastrointestinal zygomycosis were diagnosed in 10.1% and 4.7% patients, respectively. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (in 50% of cases) was the significant risk factor in rhino-orbito-cerebral type [odds ratio (OR), 9.3; P