Bread mold infection in diabetes. The life-threatening condition of rhinocerebral zygomycosis.

PreviewCommon bread molds, ordinarily harmless, may pose a serious threat to ketotic diabetic patients, who show reduced resistance to fungi of the subclass Zygomycetes. Unless treated in time, rhinocerebral zygomycosis can lead to severe facial disfigurement and even death. Primary care physicians can play a key role in avoiding these serious consequences by recognizing symptoms early. The authors of this article outline when to suspect rhinocerebral zygomycosis, how to confirm the diagnosis, and what to do then.