Mucor Discussion
Please write a paragraph responding to the discussion bellow. Add citations and references in alphabetical order.
Mucor is a mold found in soil, plants, manure, decaying fruits, vegetables and as a common contaminant of stored and processed food in the kitchen, specifically cheese ripening and Asian fermented food production. Mucormycosis is a serious but rear fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucoromycetes ( CDC). According to CDC, there are five clinical forms of Mucormycosis but the most common one is Rhinocerebra Mucormycosis which occur mostly in diabetic patient, neutropenic cancer patients and hematopoietic stem cell transplant or solid organ transplant recipients and pulmonary Mucormycosis. Other things that can put people at risk of developing Mucormycosis are prolonged corticosteroid therapy; skin trauma, burns, or surgical wounds; iron overload; intravenous drug use; malnourishment and premature infants.
Patients is likely to get infected with Mucor by inhalation, immunization, or ingestion of spores from the environment. The environmental spores can come from Dung in dry areas like southern California, Arizona, and Florida in the winter before the rains and cold sets in. When the spores are inhaled, it travels through the alveoli and bronchioles of the lungs causing inflammation and pneumonia with clinical exhibition of fever, cough, chest pain and dyspnea.
Treatment is with antifungal medication usually, Amphotericin B, Parconazole or Isavuconazole. Surgery may also be required to cut out the affected tissue. Nursing intervention include monitoring of vital signs and laboratory result administration of oxygen when clinically required, teaching cough etiquette, placing the patient in semi to high fowlers to aid with respirations and comfort, IV therapies, and keeping accurate record of intake and output.
2. laboratory result:
The white blood count (WBC) is high 15,200 this shows that patient have infection because of Mucor inhalation, showing the body’s attempt to fight the infection. Arterial blood gas is abnormal because of the high PH 7.50, PaC02 is 25 and PaCO3 25, these three ABG results shows respiratory alkalosis. Patient SPO 59 room air is low, oxygen should be given to increase the level and enhance respiration and oxygen exchange with the lower left side of the chest x-ray showing whited out. The x-ray also shows a poor heart silhouette with good showing of the diaphragmatic arches.
3. Medication and medical treatment.
Three medications that can be used for treatment of Mucormycosis are; Amphotericin B, Parconazole or Isavuconazole (CDC).These medications attack the structure of and function of fungal cells. They also inhibit the DNA synthesis of fungus and prevent the spreading. Amphotericin binds to the fungal cell membrane causing it to leak the cellular content. Surgery may also be required to cut away the affected tissue (CDC).Finally, controlling immunocompromising condition should be attempted (CDC).
References.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Information for healthcare professionals about Mucormycosis. Retrieved from.https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/mucormycosis/h…
