Mucormycosis-unusual cause of lower GI bleeding: A rare case report

INTRODUCTION: Mucormycosis is a rare systemic fungal infection seen in immune-compromised patients. Gastrointestinal tract involvement is not usual. CASE PRESENTATION: A 36 years female presented with fever and progressive bilateral leg swelling for 25 days. She was diagnosed as nephrotic syndrome and started on methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide. She developed hematochezia during hospital stay. On colonoscopy, ulcero-proliferative lesion was noted in caecum. Histopathology examination has confirmed it as mucormycosis of Caecum. DISCUSSION: Mucormycosis is an opportunistic angioinvasive disease caused by fungus zygomycosis it is a rare disease and often manifests as a life-threatening condition in immune-compromised patient. Invasion by fungal hyphae leads to arterial thrombosis, tissue infarction, hemorrhage and, necrosis. Diagnosis is confirmed by histopathological examination and culture. It is usually treated by the anti-fungal drug- liposomal amphotericin and surgical debridement. CONCLUSION: Mucormycosis is a fatal systemic fungal infection, which can present as lower gastrointestinal bleeding in immunocompromised patients.