<disease, microbiology> A fungal infection caused by infection with various fungi from the class, Zygomycetes. The organism is widely distributed through air, water and soil. This infection occurs predominately in the immunocompromised patient, burn patients and those on steroid therapy.
The most common manifestation is an orbital cellulitis causing exophthalmia. Prognosis is guarded as the mortality rate is quite high. Treatment is with intravenous amphotericin B.
(27 Sep 1997)