Cutaneous mucormycosis in a patient with lupus nephritis

RATIONALE Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection but life-threatening, especially in lupus nephritis (LN). Mucormycosis may manifest as rhino-orbital-cerebral, pulmonary, cutaneous, gastrointestinal, renal, or disseminated forms. PATIENT CONCERNS We report a case of a 52-year-old woman with cutaneous mucormycosis infection who was admitted because of LN. DIAGNOSES Histopathological analysis of the lesion confirmed the Rhizopus microspores from the family Mucoraceae. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES The mortality of mucormycosis remains unacceptably high. Our patient died at last even with standard therapy (aggressive surgical debridement and anti-mucormycosis drugs). LESSONS It is difficult to diagnose because lacking of specific clinical features, it is necessary to identify the susceptible patients, and then make diagnosis rapidly through tissue biopsy. Despite the outcome is poor, aggressive surgical debridement and Amphotericin B/Posaconazole can be effective.