Overview
Zygomycosis, also called mucormycosis (its most common form), is a serious fungal infection caused by a group of molds called Zygomycetes. These molds are found in the environment — in soil, decaying leaves, compost, and rotting food — and most healthy people are never harmed by them. However, in people whose immune systems are weakened or who have certain health conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, the fungus can invade the body and cause life-threatening illness. The infection can affect many parts of the body. The most common form starts in the sinuses and can spread to the face, eyes, and brain. It can also infect the lungs, skin, stomach and intestines, or spread throughout the entire body (called disseminated infection). The fungus damages tissue by blocking blood vessels, which cuts off blood supply and causes tissue to die. This is why dark or blackened tissue around the nose, eyes, or mouth is a major warning sign. Treatment requires urgent action and usually involves a combination of antifungal medications — most commonly amphotericin B — and surgery to remove infected tissue. Controlling the underlying condition, such as bringing blood sugar under control in diabetes, is also a critical part of treatment. Even with aggressive treatment, zygomycosis can be fatal, especially when diagnosed late. Early recognition and rapid treatment give the best chance of survival.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Facial pain or swelling, especially around the sinuses, nose, or eyesBlack or darkened tissue on the face, inside the nose, or around the mouthStuffy or blocked nose with dark or bloody dischargeFever that does not go awayHeadacheBlurred or double vision, or loss of visionDrooping eyelid or bulging eyeChest pain or difficulty breathing (when lungs are affected)Coughing up bloodSkin wounds that turn black and do not healStomach pain, nausea, or vomiting (when gut is affected)Confusion or altered mental state (when brain is involved)
Clinical phenotype terms (50)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
8 eventsM.D. Anderson Cancer Center
University Hospital, Strasbourg, France
Qiu Ye
Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, China
Menoufia University
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
1 availableCresemba
CRESEMBA is indicated for the treatment of invasive mucormycosis
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Zygomycosis.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Zygomycosis
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Liposomal Amphotericin B Plus Posaconazole/Isavuconazole for Mucormycosis in Hematologic Malignancies: Efficacy and Safety
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Zygomycosis
New recruiting trial: Chest CT Scan in Pulmonary Mucormycosis: Prognostic Value
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Zygomycosis
New recruiting trial: Amphotericin Versus Posaconazole for Pulmonary Mucormycosis
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Zygomycosis
New recruiting trial: Biomarkers for Invasive Mucormycosis
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Zygomycosis
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How far has the infection spread, and what organs are affected?,What antifungal medication will I receive, and how long will treatment last?,Do I need surgery, and if so, what tissue will be removed and what will the impact be?,What is causing my immune system to be vulnerable, and how can we address that underlying condition?,What are the signs that the infection is getting worse or coming back, and when should I go to the emergency room?,Are there clinical trials or newer treatments I might be eligible for?,What support services are available for recovery, including reconstructive surgery or mental health support?
Common questions about Zygomycosis
What is Zygomycosis?
Zygomycosis, also called mucormycosis (its most common form), is a serious fungal infection caused by a group of molds called Zygomycetes. These molds are found in the environment — in soil, decaying leaves, compost, and rotting food — and most healthy people are never harmed by them. However, in people whose immune systems are weakened or who have certain health conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, the fungus can invade the body and cause life-threatening illness. The infection can affect many parts of the body. The most common form starts in the sinuses and can spread to the face, eyes, a
How is Zygomycosis inherited?
Zygomycosis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Zygomycosis?
Yes — 6 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Zygomycosis on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Zygomycosis?
17 specialists and care centers treating Zygomycosis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.