TY - JOUR
T1 - Actinomucor elegans in Human Infections
T2 - A Case Report and Narrative Review of the Literature
AU - Cosentino, Andrea
AU - Vescoli, Daniel
AU - Berger, Wilhelm
N1 - Lehr-kH Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital of Merano (SABES-ASDAA), Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, Merano-Meran, Italy
Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 21, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
PY - 2026/1/25
Y1 - 2026/1/25
N2 - IntroductionActinomucor elegans is an uncommon and underrecognized cause of invasive mucormycosis. While typically affecting immunocompromised individuals, cases have also emerged in trauma patients. This study presents a new case of cutaneous A. elegans infection and reviews the literature to characterize its clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and treatment outcomes.MethodsWe report a clinical case from our institution and conducted a narrative review of the literature. PubMed and Embase were searched through July 2025 for human cases of A. elegans. Studies were included if they provided clinical details on diagnosis or therapy. Data were extracted on demographics, comorbidities, infection site, diagnostics, treatments, and outcomes.ResultsSix unique cases were identified. Patients included both immunocompromised individuals and immunocompetent trauma victims. Reported infection sites included pulmonary, rhino-orbital, cutaneous, and disseminated forms. All cases were confirmed microbiologically, mainly through culture and sequencing. Liposomal amphotericin B was the primary antifungal agent, occasionally combined with other agents. Surgical debridement was performed in half the cases. The mortality rate was 50%; survival was associated with early diagnosis and antifungal therapy.ConclusionActinomucor elegans is a rare but clinically significant mucormycete capable of causing severe infections in high-risk patients. Early recognition, combined microbiological diagnostics, and aggressive antifungal management are critical to improving patient outcomes.
AB - IntroductionActinomucor elegans is an uncommon and underrecognized cause of invasive mucormycosis. While typically affecting immunocompromised individuals, cases have also emerged in trauma patients. This study presents a new case of cutaneous A. elegans infection and reviews the literature to characterize its clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and treatment outcomes.MethodsWe report a clinical case from our institution and conducted a narrative review of the literature. PubMed and Embase were searched through July 2025 for human cases of A. elegans. Studies were included if they provided clinical details on diagnosis or therapy. Data were extracted on demographics, comorbidities, infection site, diagnostics, treatments, and outcomes.ResultsSix unique cases were identified. Patients included both immunocompromised individuals and immunocompetent trauma victims. Reported infection sites included pulmonary, rhino-orbital, cutaneous, and disseminated forms. All cases were confirmed microbiologically, mainly through culture and sequencing. Liposomal amphotericin B was the primary antifungal agent, occasionally combined with other agents. Surgical debridement was performed in half the cases. The mortality rate was 50%; survival was associated with early diagnosis and antifungal therapy.ConclusionActinomucor elegans is a rare but clinically significant mucormycete capable of causing severe infections in high-risk patients. Early recognition, combined microbiological diagnostics, and aggressive antifungal management are critical to improving patient outcomes.
KW - Actinomucor elegans
KW - Immunosuppression
KW - Invasive fungal infection
KW - Liposomal amphotericin B
KW - Mucormycosis
KW - Review
KW - Trauma
UR - https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=pmu_pure&SrcAuth=WosAPI&KeyUT=WOS:001668622000001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=WOS_CPL
U2 - 10.1007/s11046-025-01047-0
DO - 10.1007/s11046-025-01047-0
M3 - Case report
C2 - 41581099
SN - 0301-486X
VL - 191
JO - MYCOPATHOLOGIA
JF - MYCOPATHOLOGIA
IS - 1
M1 - 25
ER -