Renal Allograft Mucormycosis: Report of Two Cases

Mucormycosis infection, as a sporadic worldwide infection, is often seen in immunosuppressed patients and those with hematologic malignancies and diabetes mellitus. This opportunistic pathogen, which widely exists in our environment, enters the body via respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract and skin wounds. Mucormycosis infection can be isolated or disseminated and may rarely involve kidney alone. Rhinocerebral mucomycosis is the most common form and its isolated form rarely involves organs such as lung, gastrointestinal tract, and brain. Also disseminated form has been reported in these patients. With respect to the potential role of mucormycosis infection in allograft rejection, it is crucial to consider it as a differential diagnosis in cases with graft rejection, so that prompt treatment can rescue the patient and the kidney allograft. We report two cases of renal mucormycosis infection in kidney recipients, which were both diagnosed by histopathological examinations, following nephrectomy due to rejection.