Phycomycosis infection in acute leukaemia.

Fungal infections are increasingly being reported in patients with acute leukaemia on intensive induction chemotherapy protocols. The common fungi seen are candida, aspergillus and mucormycosis. We have seen 3 cases of mucormycosis over the last 4 years. All 3 patients had acute leukaemia-two had acute lymphoblastic and one acute myeloid leukaemia. All patients were in neutropenic phase after induction chemotherapy. Features suggestive of fungal infection were fever and development or progression of pulmonary infiltrates despite antibiotic therapy. Repeated body fluid cultures were negative in two patients. In the first patient, the diagnosis was confirmed after biopsy of a palatal mass; he was treated successfully with amphotericin-B. In two patients the diagnosis was confirmed at autopsy. A high degree of suspicion in febrile, neutropenic cancer patients on chemotherapy and early administration of amphotericin-B may improve the outcome. With dissemination, the prognosis is poor.