Mucor
Mucor is a type of fungal infection that caused by mold which is commonly found in plants, decaying fruits and vegetables, soil, manure and toxin of stored food. Mucor mainly effects the immunity compromised individuals and effects sinuses and lungs as it is usually inhaled during the breathing process. Fungus incorporates about 50 species some of them are prone to high temperatures and hence, they can cause infections mainly known as zygomycosis or mucormycosis. According to CDC (2015), mucormycosis effects the immunity comprised people at a higher pace and due to its contact with human body via inhalation, cut, scrape or burn, it can cause infections in all body parts. The individuals who have prior encounter with HIV, AIDS, cancer, organ transplant and weak immunity inheritance, tend to have a high tendency of being effected by mucor (Mehmood et al., 2014).
The inhalation of fungi spores results in the fungi colonization in lungs or sinuses and causes inflammation in the lungs by means of effecting the air sacs that are also known as alveoli and hence, the prevalence of pneumonia takes place. It is required that airway culture is incorporated in order to determine the prevalence of fungus, followed by the referral to infectious disease specialist, so that further evaluation can be done for the progression of treatment. Moreover, radiological procedures mainly comprising of chest x-ray and CT scan can also be incorporated in order to diagnose the fungal pneumonia. The chest x-ray results indicate consolidation and infiltrates in the left lower and upper lobes consolidate, which eventually suggests the prevalence of pneumonia (Bourcier et al., 2014).
Mg 1.7mg/dL – The value of magnesium is low, considering the fact that normal values reside from 1.8mg/dL – to 10.5mg/dL. The reduced level of magnesium, hypomagnesemia and extracellular fluid concentration is caused by the poor intake of magnesium, high excretion of magnesium by urine and feces, alcohol intake and loss of magnesium from frequent vomiting.
Glucose, fasting 138 mg/dL – The blood glucose level during fasting is found to be elevated considering the normal glucose range, which is found to between 60 – 100 mg/dL. It is a pre-diabetic elevation which is caused by the elevated insulin resistance.
Hematocrit 39.4% (men) – The normal values account for 40% - 50% for men, whereas 38% - 47% for women and it is obvious that the current values indicate decreased hematocrit, which eventually indicates the destruction and deterioration of red blood cells. It also indicates the prevalence of low iron level, low B12, blood loss from internal bleeding, cancer, trauma and over-hydration.
White blood count 15,000/mm3 – The normal values resides from 4,500/mm3 to 11,000/mm3, which eventually indicates the elevated level of white blood cells due to the prevalence of viral infections, cancer, antibiotic intake and congenital disorders.
Lymphocytes 10% - The value is also low because normal values reside in between 20% to 25% and hence, the prevalence of lymphocytopenia is observed. This condition takes place when lymphocytes get destroyed or held in lymph nodes or spleen.
pH (potential hydrogen) 7.5 – The value is also elevated because normal values reside in 7.35 to 7.45 and hence, the alkaline solution is observed due to low carbon dioxide or increased bicarbonate, eventually indicating imbalanced levels of acid and base.
PaO2 59mgHg – The arterial oxygen pressure is observed low, as the normal values range between 75mgHg to 100mgHg, which is considered as a cause of pulmonary disease and cyanotic heart problems.
PaCO2 25mmHg – The arterial carbon dioxide pressure is observed low, as the normal values range between 35mmHg to 45mmHg, which is caused by kidney diseases, diarrhea and metabolic acidosis.
Treatment and Medications
The following medications can be used to treat pneumonia:
Corticosteroid can be used to treat the lungs inflammation due to fungal infections.
Liposomal Amphotericin B can be used to treat lungs inflammation and is found to have less or no side effects on kidneys.
Posaconazole is a triazole treatment for pneumonia and cab be administered orally with foods that are high in fat and acidic fluids.
Lobectomy can be conducted in order to prevent the necrotic issues to spread to the other organs, however, it is necessary to effectively manage the patient’s airway by means of oxygen saturation.
References
Bourcier, J. E., Paquet, J., Seinger, M., Gallard, E., Redonnet, J. P., Cheddadi, F., & Geeraerts, T. (2014). Performance comparison of lung ultrasound and chest x-ray for the diagnosis of pneumonia in the ED. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 32(2), 115-118.
C.D.C. (2015). Fungal disease: Mucormycosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/mucormycosis/
Mehmood, M., Halloush, R. A., & Khasawneh, F. A. (2014). A 29-year-old man with hospital-acquired cavitary pneumonia. Canadian Respiratory Journal, 21(4), 208-210.
