This disease is also sometimes referred to as mucormycosis, but the term zygomycosis is preferred. The most common species causing disease are Absidia corymbifera , Rhizomucor pusillus , and Rhizopus arrhizus . The disease is associated with the acidotic diabetics, malnourished children, severely burned patients. It is also seen with leukemia, lymphoma, AIDS, and use of immunosuppressive therapy such as corticosteroids. Suppurative pyogenic reactions develop.
Infections are typically acute and fulminant.
Gastrointestinal Usually affects patients with severe malnutrition May involve the stomach, ileum, and colon Clinical picture mimics intra-abdominal abscess. The prognosis is grave, especially when the rhinocerebral area is involved in patients with uncontrolled diabetes. Most cases of gastric and pelvic disease are diagnosed at autopsy. Many cases occur in patients with pulmonary disease, leukemia, or with lymphomas. These are usually fatal.