zygomycosis

zygomycosis /zy·go·my·co·sis/ (zi″go-mi-ko´sis)

1. an infectious disease of humans or animals caused by fungi of the division Zygomycota.

2. mucormycosis.

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zy·go·my·co·sis (zg-m-kss)

n.

A fungus infection caused by various genera of the class Zygomycetes. Also called mucormycosis, phycomycosis.

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Zygomycosis

Another term for mucormycosis. The fungi that cause mucormycosis belong to a group called Zygomycetes.

Mentioned in: Mucormycosis

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zygomycosis

[zī′gōmīkō′sis]

Etymology: Gk, zygon + mykes, fungus

an acute, often fulminant, and sometimes fatal fungal infection caused by a class of phycomycetal water molds the Zygomycetes, orders Mucorales, and Entomophthorales. It occurs primarily in patients with chronic debilitating diseases, especially uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Characteristically it begins with fever, pain, and discharge in the nose and paranasal sinuses that progresses to invade the eye and lower respiratory tract. The fungus may enter blood vessels and spread to the brain and other organs. Transmission is usually by inhalation. The diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy and pathologic examination of sputum. Treatment includes improved control of diabetes mellitus, extensive debridement of craniofacial lesions, and amphotericin B administered intravenously. Also called mucormycosis. Compare phycomycosis.

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zygomycosis

rare infection by fungi in the class, Zygomycetes, causes granulomatous lesions in many species, most often in the gastrointestinal tract. A rare example is Conidiobolus incongruus infection causing cutaneous granulomata and invasion of the lungs as in nasal zygomycosis in sheep. Immune suppression is believed to be a predisposing factor. See also mucormycosis, entomophthoromycosis. Most infections previously called phycomycosis were believed to have been caused by zygomycetes.