SEVERE OSTEOMYELITIS DUE TO THE ZYGOMYCETE APOPHYSOMYCES ELEGANS

We describe a previously healthy 69-year old man presenting with osteo myelitis of the humerus due to the zygomycete Apophysomyces elegans. T he infection was acquired in Aruba, The Netherlands Antilles. The skin provided the most likely portal of entry, although there was no histo ry of a traumatic inoculation. The patient had no history of diabetes, and no underlying immune defects were found. Despite treatment with 7 .9 g of amphotericin B, an interthoracoscapular amputation proved nece ssary to curtail the rapid spread of the fungus in this immunocompeten t host.