Pulmonary Mucormycosis in Acute Histiocytic Leukemia

Abstract

THE introduction of antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents, ACTH and steroid hormones has greatly altered the natural course of the acute leukemias. Temporary remissions are more frequently obtained; at the same time new complications arise that may be related to the prolonged survival of the patient or to the very effect of medication.The present article describes a case of acute histiocytic leukemia treated with ACTH, prednisone and antibiotics whose course was complicated terminally by pulmonary mucormycosis. Although many species of the family mucoraceae are common laboratory contaminants, the genus rhizopus may be pathogenic for man. Cerebral manifestations are encountered most often. . . .