Fungal infection. Also see Zygomycosis program.MouthEncyclopedia Entry for Mucormycosis :Mucormycosis- Zygomycosis- Rhizopus arrhizus (fungus)Encyclopedia Entry for Mucormycosis :Mucormycosis. Mucormycosis is caused by different kinds of fungi that are often found in decaying organic matter. These include spoiled bread, fruit, and vegetables, as well as soil and compost piles. Most people come in contact with the fungus at some time. However, people with a weakened immune system are more likely to develop mucormycosis. These include people with any of the following conditions: AIDS Burns Diabetes (usually poorly controlled) Leukemia and lymphoma Long-term steroid use Metabolic acidosis Poor nutrition (malnutrition) Use of some medicines Mucormycosis may involve: A sinus and brain infection called rhinocerebral infection: It may start as a sinus infection, and then lead to the swelling of the nerves that stem from the brain. It may also cause blood clots that block vessels to the brain. A lung infection called pulmonary mucormycosis: pneumonia gets worse quickly and may spread to the chest cavity, heart, and brain. Other parts of the body: mucormycosis of the gastrointestinal tract, skin, and kidneys.Symptoms of rhinocerebral mucormycosis include: Eyes that swell and stick out (protrude) Dark scabbing in nasal cavities Fever Headache Mental status changes Redness of skin above sinuses Sinus pain or congestion Symptoms of lung (pulmonary) mucormycosis include: Cough Coughing blood (occasionally) Fever Shortness of breath Symptoms of gastrointestinal mucormycosis include: Abdominal pain Blood in the stools Diarrhea Vomiting blood Symptoms of kidney (renal) mucormycosis include: Fever Pain in the upper abdomen or back Symptoms of skin (cutaneous) mucormycosis include a single, painful, hardened area of skin that may have a blackened center.Your health care provider will examine you. See an ear-nose-throat (ENT) doctor if you are having sinus problems. Testing depends on your symptoms, but may include these imaging tests: CT scans MRI scans A biopsy must be done to diagnose mucormycosis. A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination to identify the fungus.Surgery should be done right away to remove all dead and infected tissue. Surgery can lead to disfiguration because it may involve removal of the palate, parts of the nose, or parts of the eye. But, without such aggressive surgery, chances of survival are greatly decreased. You will also receive antifungal medicine, usually amphotericin B, through a vein. After the infection is under control, you may be switched to a different medicine.Mucormycosis has a very high extremely high death rate, even when aggressive surgery is done. Risk of death depends on the area of the body involved and your overall health.These complications may occur: Blindness (if the optic nerve is involved) Clotting or blockage of brain or lung blood vessels Death Nerve damage.People with weakened immune systems and immune disorders (including diabetes) should seek medical attention if they develop: Fever Headache Sinus pain Eye swelling Any of the other symptoms listed above.Because the fungi that cause mucormycosis are widespread, the best way to prevent this infection is to improve control of the illnesses associated with mucormycosis.Fungal infection - mucormycosis.Fungus Fungus.Kontoyiannis DP, Lewis RE. Agents of mucormycosis and entomophthoramycosis.