Forgotten Infection Friday: Mucormycosis in a Diabetic Patient

Case study of a 58-year-old man with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (A1C 12.4) who developed a rapidly progressive left foot ulcer after stepping on a nail. Despite antibiotics, the wound became black, necrotic, and septic; labs showed DKA and elevated inflammatory markers.

MRI and tissue biopsy revealed deep angioinvasive fungal infection with broad, ribbon-like non-septate hyphae consistent with mucormycosis. Management required urgent surgical debridement, antifungal therapy (liposomal amphotericin B), metabolic stabilization, and often limb-sparing or amputation procedures; early recognition is critical due to rapid vascular invasion and high mortality.