Mucormycosis pathology

Mucormycosis is a fungal infection caused by organisms of the Mucorales order. Rhizopus species are the most commonly involved. Lichthemia (formerly Absidia) and Mucor are other less common causes.

Histology of mucormycosis

The fungal forms of mucormycosis are broad, non-septate hyphae (figure 1). They are wider than Aspergillus species and branch irregularly. The angle of branching is greater than other organisms, and usually approaches 90° (figure 2, arrow)

Angioinvasion is common and may elicit intravascular thrombosis. There is often a marked inflammatory response which may be neutrophilic and granulomatous. Sometimes, there is minimal inflammatory response, particularly in immunosuppressed individuals.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Special studies for mucormycosis

Mucormycosis organisms may easily be seen on haematoxylin and eosin sections (figure 1). Special stains with PAS (figure 2) or GMS can be used to highlight the organisms and allow a clearer assessment of the morphology.

Differential diagnosis of mucormycosis pathology

Aspergillosis – Aspergillus species have thinner septate hyphae with regular branching and they branch at acute angles (45° as opposed to 90°).