Outbreak of cutaneous zygomycosis associated with the use of adhesive tape in haematology patients

Abstract

We report an outbreak of cutaneous Rhizopus oryzae infection associated with adhesive polyethylene tapes used to stabilize peripheral venous catheters in four patients. All patients were suffering from haematological diseases; the infection severity was proportional to the duration of neutropenia. Intervention with systemic antifungal treatment and surgical debridement was required for resolution of the infection. The entire batch of tapes was withdrawn and the outbreak subsided.