Zygomycosis is a rare life-threatening opportunistic fungal infection in humans, that often complicates diabetes mellitus and primary and acquired immunodeficiencies characterised by defects of the cell-mediated immunity. Other predisposing factors include steroid therapy, organ transplantation and cytotoxic chemotherapy [1]. The causative organism is an aerobic saprophytic fungus belonging to the order of Mucorales of the class Zygomycetes. It is ubiquitous insoil, grows rapidly and constantly discharges spores into the environment [2]. Infection is usually caused by inhalation of sporangiospores or via direct contamination of skin wounds, especially burns. The lungs, nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, gut and cutaneous tissues are therefore the most common sites for primary infection. At onset, Rhinocerebral Zygomycosis presents with different clinical features such as blindness, cranial nerve palsies, eye proptosis and pain. Fungal hyphae preferentially invade the walls of blood vessels producing thrombi and infarction. The resulting progressive tissue ischaemia and necrosis of deep tissues may include muscle and fat, ultimately leading to multiorgan failure and sepsis. The central nervous system can be invaded by Zygomycetes either contiguously from adjacent paranasal sinuses (rhinocerebral zygomycosis), or haematogenously from a remote site of infection [3]. We report a case of necrotizing invasive rhinocerebral zygomycosis in a 14-year-old girl with type 1 diabetes and review previous reported cases from 1980 to 2012.

Zygomycosis is rare in pediatric patients, and there are few reports in the literature. We performed a MEDLINE search for articles published in the English-language literature, ages: 0–18 years, from January 1980 to September 2013. The search terms used were: rhinocerebral zygomycosis or mucormycosis and case report.

In described pediatric cases rhinocerebral zygomycosis presents with a characteristic onset: cranial nerve palsies (66.7% of cases), facial/eye swelling or blindness (40%), eye proptosis (33.3%), periorbital cellulitis or pain (20%), epistaxis, headaches, nasal discharge, decreasing consciousness, dysarthria and otalgia (6.7%).

All cases have the involvement of at least one eye. All patients underwent surgery and/or therapy with amphotericin B and other antifungal agents. The 25% of patients with type 1 diabetes has passed the infection uncomplicated, while the 40% underwent to complications such as eye exenteration, partial loss of vision, invasive surgery and nerve palsies. The overall mortality was 20% in cases with type 1 diabetes and 50% in cases with other predisposing factors. The mortality rate was significantly higher when the central nervous system was involved compared to sinus or sino-orbital involvement only.

The Zigomycosis’ predisposing factors are uncontrolled diabetes, lymphomas, leukemias, renal failure, organ transplant, long-term corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy [28]. Hyperglycemia, usually with an associated metabolic acidosis, is responsible for impaired neutrophil function, neuropathies and vascular insufficiency leading to a diminished resistance to infections and altered tissue response. In ketoacidosis, the acid environment due to the increase in glucose levels and the increase in levels of free iron ions favour fungal growth [2].

The clinical onset of the Rhinocerebral Zygomycosis in our report and in most cases is characterized by cranial nerve palsies, facial/eye swelling and blindness, less frequently by decreasing consciousness.

Mucormycosis is known for having a very poor prognosis: survival rates are currently thought to exceed 80%. Even with successful treatment, Mucorales can reappear during future courses of chemotherapy and neutropenia [29]. There may be predictive factors on the evolution of complications: patients who presented with “blindness” seem to have a higher prevalence of survival (p ≤ 0.04) while patients who presented with “decreased consciousness” seem to have an higher prevalence of death (p ≤ 0.04). With the advent of potent antifungal medications, a combination of surgery, medication and correction of the underlying conditions has provided better outcomes [26]. Surgery needs to be radical with an aim to remove all devitalized tissue, and has to be repeated based on disease progression. The new triazole POS has a broad antifungal spectrum against filamentous fungi. The use of POS seems to be associated with a high prevalence of survival with or without outcome (p ≤ 0.04). This is important as standard therapy with amphotericin B often fails [23].

The zygomycosis may present with specific clinical symptoms in patients with predisposing conditions. “Blindness” seems to be correlated with survival predictive factors while “decreased consciousness” seems to be associated with severe outcome.

Early diagnosis of zygomycosis and meticulous broad spectrum antifungal therapy are necessary to avoid the further spread of infection, which may lead to high morbidity and mortality. The timely use of POS alone or in combination with other therapies seems to be associated with a high prevalence of survival with or without outcome.

Larger studies and populations are needed to test if these relationships are casual or real. It is important to understand and implement the treatment options which can help to manage these patients with peculiar onset before the coltures results. Knowledge of potentially devastating complications can help to prevent the unfortunate consequences.

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient’s parents for publication of this Case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.