Fatal primary cutaneous zygomycosis caused by Saksenaea vasiformis: case report and review of literature.

Background: Primary cutaneous zygomycosis caused by Saksenaea vasiformis is rare. Such infections usually are not suspected, and delay in their diagnosis and treatment results in a poor outcome.

Methods: Case report and review of the relevant English-language literature.

Results: A fulminant cutaneous infection developing after intramuscular injection in the gluteal region of a 60-year-old female patient is described. The hallmark of this uncommon infection was the rapidity with which the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the right gluteal and lower abdominal regions underwent necrosis. The infection remained undiagnosed for nearly two weeks, leading to a fatal outcome.

Conclusion: Awareness of the fact that fungi can also be the cause of cutaneous infections, as well as a high index of suspicion in patients who do not respond to conventional therapy, should help in the early diagnosis and management of such infections and may help in reducing the mortality rate.