Question: Comment 1

In completing research I also found a signifcance with IV drug use and mucor infections.

Cerebral mucormycosis is extremely rare but when it is diagnosed, it is often found in IV drug users (Fungal Infections, 2018). In a study published in Neurology, mucromycosis was associated with IV drug uses, most common heroin and cocaine (Lin, 2013). Although the infection started in another location, mucor had a predilection for the basal ganglia in 89% of those who were studied (Lin, 2013).

Comment 2

You mentioned people can get infected with mucormycosis from breathing spores in the air, through an open wound in the skin. I also learned that mucormycosis is considered rare but is actually the second most common fungal infection (Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 2013). Some symptoms that can help diagnose mucor are: diplopia, necrotic naso-sinus eschars, pleuritic pain, necrotic cutaneous lesions. These may be present in other fungal infections, but aid in the initial diagnosis. Early idenitification and treatment are the keys to recovery.

"Mucormycosis has a worse outcome than other invasive fungal infections such as candidiasis or aspergillosis. The higher degree of difficulty to cure this devastating infection is related to differences in host-fungus interactions, and pathogenetic mechanisms, as well as greater difficulties in early diagnosis when the ‘window' of successful treatment is higher, and wider inadequacies of therapeutic options"(Clinical Microbiology and Infectio, 2013) .

Comment 3

I agree with checking glucose levels as part of the medical treatment for persons with pulmonary mucor. Apart from surgical and pharmaceutical interventions, treating underlying predisposing factors is important (Iqbal et al., 2017). Adding a sliding scale to treat high glucose levels would be optimal for the patient. The incidence of diabetes mellitus is rising, and it is causing an increase in mortality rates with pulmonary mucor (Iqbal et al., 2017).