[Pulmonary mucormycosis: benefit of aerosol amphotericin B?]

Abstract

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fungal infection usually observed in diabetic or neutropenic patients. Prognosis is serious with a high rate of mortality. Intravenous amphotericin B is the gold standard treatment. The main side effect is renal failure. Liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome(R)) is not nephrotoxic and can be proposed as an alternative treatment although its cost is high. We report a case of mucormycosis in a diabetic woman who developed renal failure after intravenous amphotericin B treatment. AmBisome(R) could not be used for long-term treatment due to its high case. The patient was given nebulized amphotericin B and achieved recovery. This kind of treatment may provide a useful alternative to intravenous amphotericin B.