Predisposing Factors of Host on the Phycomycosis

Abstract

A case of phycomycosis during the course of acute lymphatic leukemia was reported and host factors inducing mycosis was discussed on the case and literatures. During the therapy of antil-eukemic agents and the corticosteroid, he got acute ileus of a small intestine. The histological examination of the resected intestine after the surgcial operation revealed broad and nonseptate hyphae in blood vessel with invasion into vessel wall. He was successfully treated with Clotrimazole and Amphotericine B for 10 days without dissemination of phycomycosis. Autopsy showed on fungal cells on all organs examined. During his hospitalization, suppression of cellular immunity such as negative skin test for PPD, low response of lymphocytes to PHA and decrease number of rosette forming cells. NBT test was negative. In most of the described cases phycomycosis also occurred in patients in whom the immune defence mechanisms were impaired. These conditions of patients are not specific for phycomycosis, but lowered host defence may relate to the induction of opportunistic infections as well as phycomycosis.