Entomophthoramycosis (or Entomophthoromycosis) is a

mycosis Fungal infection, also known as mycosis, is disease caused by fungi. Different types are traditionally divided according to the part of the body affected; superficial, subcutaneous, and systemic. Superficial fungal infections include common ti ...

caused by

Entomophthorales The Entomophthorales are an order of fungi that were previously classified in the class Zygomycetes. A new subdivision, Entomophthoromycotina, has recently been circumscribed for them. Most species of the Entomophthorales are pathogens of ins ...

. Examples include

basidiobolomycosis Basidiobolomycosis is a fungal disease caused by '' Basidiobolus ranarum''. It may appear as one or more painless firm nodules in the skin which becomes purplish with an edge that appears to be slowly growing outwards. A serious but less common t ...

and

conidiobolomycosis Conidiobolomycosis is a rare long-term fungal infection that is typically found just under the skin of the nose, sinuses, cheeks and upper lips. It may present with a nose bleed or a blocked or runny nose. Typically there is a firm painless ...

Signs and symptoms

Diagnosis

A culture of the infected tissue of the individual suspected of having Entomophthoramycosis

Treatment

Treatment for phycomycosis is very difficult and includes surgery when possible. Postoperative recurrence is common. Antifungal drugs show only limited effect on the disease, but

itraconazole Itraconazole, sometimes abbreviated ITZ, is an antifungal medication used to treat a number of fungal infections. This includes aspergillosis, blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, and paracoccidioidomycosis. It may be given by mo ...

and terbinafine hydrochloride are often used for two to three months following surgery. Humans with ''Basidiobolus'' infections have been treated with

amphotericin B Amphotericin B is an antifungal medication used for serious mycosis, fungal infections and leishmaniasis. The fungal infections it is used to treat include mucormycosis, aspergillosis, blastomycosis, candida infections, candidiasis, coccidioidomy ...

and

potassium iodide Potassium iodide is a chemical compound, medication, and dietary supplement. It is a medication used for treating hyperthyroidism, in radiation emergencies, and for protecting the thyroid gland when certain types of radiopharmaceuticals are u ...

. For pythiosis and lagenidiosis, a new drug targeting water moulds called caspofungin is available, but it is very expensive.

Immunotherapy Immunotherapy or biological therapy is the treatment of disease by activating or suppressing the immune system. Immunotherapies designed to elicit or amplify an immune response are classified as ''activation immunotherapies,'' while immunotherap ...

has been used successfully in humans and horses with pythiosis. Treatment for skin lesions is traditionally with potassium iodide, but itraconazole has also been used successfully.

References

External links

Mycosis-related cutaneous conditions {{mycology-stub