Isolated renal zygomycosis: novel diagnostic and prognostic criteria with experience of a tertiary care center

Abstract

Background: Isolated renal zygomycosis is a life-threatening infection and difficult to diagnose ante mortem due to varied presentations. Most reports in the literature are case reports. We are presenting our experience of 10 patients.

Materials and methods: Retrospective data of 10 consecutive patients with primary renal zygomycosis, including 2 post-transplant patients, in our tertiary care center was analyzed. Epidemiological characteristics, predisposing conditions, clinical presentation, diagnostic findings and treatment outcomes were recorded. Characteristic radiological findings were recorded. Localized disease was managed by supportive treatment or percutaneous drainage and extensive disease with unilateral or bilateral nephrectomy. Renal involvement was confirmed in all patients by histopathology.

Results: The mean age of presentation was 35 years. Five patients who had bilateral renal involvement presented with oliguric acute renal failure, hematuria and abdominal pain. Three had unilateral renal disease and presented with flank pain and fever. The two post-transplant patients presented with fever and graft dysfunction. Even after aggressive treatment 5 patients died, accounting for a mortality rate of 50%.

Conclusion: Isolated renal zygomycosis can be diagnosed with typical radiological findings, combined with clinical, laboratory and histopathological features. This study describes the newer ante mortem radiological diagnostic criteria and prognostic predictors of the disease.