Rhinocerebral mucormycosis associated with actinomycosis in a diabetic patient: A rare presentation

Abstract

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fulminant fungal infection which mainly affects the immunocompromised individuals. It begins in the nose and paranasal sinuses due to the inhalation of fungal spores. The common predisposing factors include diabetes mellitus and immunosuppression. Actinomycosis is a bacterial infection caused by nonspore-forming, anaerobic or microaerophilic bacterial species of the genus Actinomyces. It is a suppurative and chronic granulomatous disease characterized by abscess formation, tissue fibrosis and draining sinuses rarely diagnosed in humans. A case of rhinocerebral mucormycosis associated with actinomycosis of the maxilla involving the palate in an uncontrolled diabetic patient is reported.