Mucormycosis and Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction Mucormycosis is a rare, potentially fatal, invasive fungal infection that occurs mainly in immunocompromised patients (malignant haematological pathologies, organ transplantation, AIDS, severe neutropenia) and unbalanced diabetes with rapid progression. A feature of this fungus is an invasion of the blood vessels causing thrombosis and subsequently necrosis. Clinical polymorphic manifestations often delay diagnosis and can lead to a poor outcome. A high degree of suspicion for mucormycosis in patients with risk factors is required, and an adequate risk stratification with improved laboratory diagnosis in specialised centres is essential for improving the prognosis of this devastating disease. Material and methods We reviewed the literature by searching the MEDLINE database for the most representative articles published so far. The studies that we selected were observational studies and raised the hypothesis of a link between diabetes mellitus and mucormycosis. Conclusions The purpose of this review was to draw attention to this pathology, to recognise it when we see it in clinical practice in patients with diabetes and to take the necessary therapeutic decisions as soon as possible to save the patient's life.