Mucormycosis Risk Factors

Where mucormycosis comes from

People get mucormycosis through contact with (exposure to) spores from mucormycetes, a common mold in the environment. Most come in contact with mucormycetes every day and do not get sick.

People who have certain medical conditions or are taking medications that weaken their immune system are at risk for mucormycosis.

Different types of infections are caused by different types of exposures.

• The most common types of infection, lung or sinus, are caused by breathing in spores from the air.
• A skin infection can occur after the fungus enters the skin through a scrape, burn, or other type of skin injury.
• Gastrointestinal (stomach or intestines) mucormycosis is very rare and is caused by eating or drinking something that is contaminated with the fungus, such as a medication.

How it spreads

Mucormycosis only spreads through direct contact with the fungal spores. It cannot spread from person to person or between people and animals. Most of the time just one person is infected from a specific cause or source. Very rarely, there have been outbreaks of mucormycosis (more than one person infected from a common source) in healthcare settings or following a natural disaster.

Outbreaks in healthcare facilities

Outbreaks of invasive mold infections have occurred in healthcare facilities. Mold is found in all environments and patients receiving medical care are more likely to have weakened immune systems and be at risk. Mold outbreaks have occurred through air filtration systems, water leaks, and in dampened hospital linens.

Risk factors

Mucormycosis is rare. People with weakened immune systems may be at risk for mucormycosis.

The following medical conditions increase the risk for mucormycosis:

• Diabetes, especially with buildup of acid in the blood (diabetic ketoacidosis)
• Cancer
• Neutropenia (low number of white blood cells)
• Too much iron in the body (iron overload or hemochromatosis)
• Severe COVID-19
• Prematurity and low birthweight

Some situations and conditions that increase risk include:

• Organ transplant
• Stem cell transplant
• Skin injury due to surgery, burns, or wounds,

Medications and drugs can increase risk, especially:

• Long-term corticosteroid use
• Injection drug use

Read more about mucormycosis and other fungal diseases and COVID-19.

Prevention

Most people come in contact with the microscopic fungal spores that can cause mucormycosis every day. It may not be possible to completely avoid coming in contact with mucormycetes.

Reducing exposure

While there are no proven ways to prevent mucormycosis, there are some steps that people who are at high risk of infections can take to try to avoid exposure to the mold:

• Try to avoid areas with a lot of dust like construction or excavation sites. If you can't avoid these areas, wear an N95 respirator (a type of face mask) while you're there. See more information about respirators.
• Avoid direct contact with water-damaged buildings and flood water after hurricanes and natural disasters.
• Avoid activities that involve close contact to soil or dust, such as yard work or gardening. If this isn't possible,

• Wear shoes, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when doing outdoor activities such as gardening, yard work, or visiting wooded areas.

• Wear gloves when handling materials such as soil, moss, or manure.
• To reduce the chances of developing a skin infection, clean skin injuries well with soap and water, especially if they have been exposed to soil or dust.

Prevention with antifungal medication

Healthcare providers may prescribe antifungal medications for some patients to prevent mucormycosis and other fungal infections. Some patients who may receive antifungals for prevention include those who recently had an organ transplant or a stem cell transplant.

Healthcare providers and scientists are still learning about which transplant patients are at highest risk and how to best prevent fungal infections.