ABSIDIA CORYMBIFERA INFECTIONS IN NEONATES

We report the first two documented cases of neonatal zygomycosis cause d by Absidia corymbifera. A premature infant developed disseminated di sease from a cutaneous site with pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and cere bral involvement. The infant died despite amphotericin B therapy and s urgical debridement. The second case occurred in a full-term infant wi th congenital heart disease and fungal pneumonitis. Zygomycosis was no t suspected because of underlying cardiac disease and a complicated po stoperative course, and this infant also died. Absidia joins a growing list of opportunistic fungal pathogens of the compromised neonate.