Gastrointestinal mucormycosis in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: An uncommon but ominous complication

Indian J Cancer. 2018 Jul-Sep;55(3):304-305. doi: 10.4103/ijc.IJC_260_18.

Abstract

Invasive fungal infections constitute a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children undergoing therapy for hematological malignancies. We report a 1-year-old boy who was receiving chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. His clinical course was complicated by a clinical syndrome consistent with neutropenic enterocolitis to which he succumbed. Histopathology of the surgically resected bowel revealed evidence of mucormycosis. Gastrointestinal mucormycosis is an unusual presentation which requires high degree of clinical suspicion and aggressive management.

Keywords: Bowel gangrene; mucor; multi-drug resistant infection; neutropenic colitis; zygomycosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen / diagnostic imaging*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Enterocolitis, Neutropenic
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / microbiology
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Mucorales / physiology*
  • Mucormycosis / complications
  • Mucormycosis / diagnosis*
  • Mucormycosis / drug therapy
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / complications
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / diagnosis*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy