Brazilian task force for the management of mucormycosis
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Mucormycosis is a rare but life‑threatening fungal infection that has shown an increased incidence in Brazil, especially during the COVID‑19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE: To provide an evidence‑based, context‑specific guideline for the diagnosis and management of mucormycosis within the Brazilian healthcare system. CLINICAL FEATURES: Rhino‑orbito‑cerebral disease predominates, followed by pulmonary, cutaneous, gastrointestinal and disseminated forms; delayed recognition dramatically increases mortality. EPIDEMIOLOGY: The global incidence of mucormycosis is increasing, particularly among patients with diabetes mellitus, hematologic malignancies, transplantation, and corticosteroid exposure. The most frequently isolated species is Rhizopus arrhizus, and regional variations in species distribution may be present. In Brazil, comprehensive epidemiological data remain scarce. TREATMENT: Early, aggressive surgical debridement plus induction with liposomal amphotericin B (5-10 mg/kg/day) followed by isavuconazole or posaconazole is recommended; strict control of hyperglycemia and immunosuppression is essential. CONCLUSION: Standardized national guidance, improved rapid diagnostics, systematic surveillance and equitable drug availability are critical to reduce Brazil's mucormycosis burden.
Authors: Patrick Leon de Godoy Macedo, Mariane Taborda, Vítor Falcão de Oliveira, Adriana Satie Gonçalves Kono Magri, Lígia Lins Frutuoso, Gideane Mendes de Oliveira, Sinaida T. Martins, Daniel Wagner de Castro Lima Santos, Fabianne Altruda de Moraes Costa Carlesse, Francelise Bridi Cavassin, Kelsen Dantas Eulálio, Marcia Lazera Andréa, Andréa d’Avila Freitas, José Ernesto Vidal, Dayvison Francis Saraiva Freitas, Marcia Garnica, Terezinha do Menino Jesus Silva Leitão, Rosely Maria Zancopé-Oliveira, Marcia de Souza Carvalho Melhem, Flavio Queiroz Telles, Maria Aparecida Shikanai-Yasuda, Fernanda Dockhorn Costa, Maria Adelaide Millington, Marcello Mihailenko Chaves Magri
Institutions: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Ministério da Saúde, Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Support group for adolescents and children with cancer, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Universidade de São Paulo
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,600
OpenAlex ID: W4414382177