LIFE-THREATENING MOLD INFECTIONS IN PATIENTS INJURED IN 2011 JOPLIN TORNADO

Mucormycosis is a form of infection caused by a group of molds (fungi) such as Mucor, Rhizopus, Absidia, and Apophysomyces. Mucormycosis is also known as Zygomycosis. Mucormycosis is an increasingly common and life threatening infection among immuncompromised patients such as HIV patients, patients on immunosuppressive drugs for bone marrow or organ transplants, patients with certain cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma, or severe malnutrition.

Mucormycosis infections can also cause life threatening infections in patients with trauma. On May 22, 2011, a 200 miles per hour tornado struck Joplin, Missouri, killing 160 and injuring more than 1,000 people. By June 3, 2011, several injured patients had already developed severe soft tissue Mucormycosis infections. Further study found 13 tornado injured patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with severe infections of Apophysomyces trapeziformis. Seven patients developed severe septic (bloodstream) infections of Apophysomyces trapeziformis and 5 died within 2 weeks after mold infection was noticed. Among the 13 ICU patients infected with Apophysomyces trapeziformis, 12 had experienced lacerations, 11 fractures, 6 puncture injuries and 5 had crush injuries. The median number of injury sites per patient were 5 (range of 1 to 7). Ages among these 13 patients ranged from 13 to 76 years.

Bacteria and mold infections represent severe risks to trauma patients. Physicians, nurses and other health care personnel need to be very alert for bacterial and mold infections in trauma patients and provide rapid antibiotic and other treatment when needed. Proper wound care, clean hospital room conditions, proper handwashing and adequate patient hydration and nutrition are all important to prevent and treat mold and bacteria infections in trauma patients.

Robyn Neblett Fanfair et al. Necrotizing cutaneous mucomycosis after a tornado in Joplin, Misouri, in 2011. New England Journal of Medicine December 6, 2012;367(23):2214-25.

{flike}

Recent Articles

You Don’t Need To Give Up Dessert

What Is The Ideal Diet? Part 2

Which Fish Are OK To Eat?

Featured Sponsor

Doug's Books

Doug Kaufmann has written many books that cover a full range or health issues. Find out which of his books best suits you by clicking the button below.

The Kaufmann Diet

Doug Kaufmann developed his diet after years studying the clinical effects of pathogenic fungi on the body. Fungi and yeasts can become parasitic organisms on and inside our body, causing health problems that can be difficult to diagnose. Learn more about the Kaufmann Diet, change your life and know the cause.

The Science of Fungus

We encourage all visitors to this site to take some time and study these technical articles prior to initiating lifestyle changes, including dietary changes and to do so with their physician’s awareness and approval. The articles posted in this link are scientific and with few exceptions are taken from medical journals familiar to healthcare workers.

Our Healthy Recipes

Looking for help assembling antifungal Kaufmann Diet approved recipes for breakfast, lunch or dinner? We have several videos, books and recipe write ups here on Know the Cause that will help your health journey. The recipes in this section are so good, you’ll feel like you’re indulging. No sacrifice needed! Enjoy.