ZYGOMYCOTIC NECROTIZING FASCIITIS CAUSED BY APOPHYSOMYCES-ELEGANS

A case of necrotizing fasciitis of the anterior abdominal wall caused by the zygomycete Apophysomyces elegans in a healthy male following in guinal herniorrhaphy is reported. The portal of entry of the fungus in to the incised skin and subcutaneous tissues was probably through eith er contaminated surgical sutures or postoperative surgical dressings. Broad, aseptate fungal hyphae were seen in the necrosed tissues with a n associated necrotizing vasculitis. Extensive tissue debridements and a low dose of amphotericin B were not successful in controlling the r apid invasion of the tissues by the fungus.