TY - JOUR
T1 - Seasonal variations in rhino-cerebral mucor infection
AU - Shpitzer, Thomas
AU - Keller, Nathan
AU - Wolf, Michael
AU - Goldschmied-Reouven, Anna
AU - Bahar, Gideon
AU - Bahar, Irit
AU - Kronenberg, Jona
AU - Feinmesser, Raphael
AU - Talmi, Yoav P.
PY - 2005/9
Y1 - 2005/9
N2 - Objectives: Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is an uncommon, potentially lethal infection that occurs mostly in immunocompromised hosts. The seasonal occurrence of ROCM was studied in two of Israel's largest medical centers. Methods: A total of 36 patients were seen during a 25-year period in this retrospective bi-institutional cohort study. Meteorologic data were obtained and analyzed for a possible linkage of infection with precipitation and temperature. Results: Twenty-one of the 36 patients (58%) presented between the months of August and October, and 27 patients (75%) presented between the months of August and December. A peak incidence of ROCM was noted in the month of September (13/36 patients; 36%). No association was noted between meteorologic conditions and the incidence of ROCM infection. Conclusions: A consistent seasonal peak was observed in ROCM. Heightened awareness is important for early recognition and treatment of this disease.
AB - Objectives: Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is an uncommon, potentially lethal infection that occurs mostly in immunocompromised hosts. The seasonal occurrence of ROCM was studied in two of Israel's largest medical centers. Methods: A total of 36 patients were seen during a 25-year period in this retrospective bi-institutional cohort study. Meteorologic data were obtained and analyzed for a possible linkage of infection with precipitation and temperature. Results: Twenty-one of the 36 patients (58%) presented between the months of August and October, and 27 patients (75%) presented between the months of August and December. A peak incidence of ROCM was noted in the month of September (13/36 patients; 36%). No association was noted between meteorologic conditions and the incidence of ROCM infection. Conclusions: A consistent seasonal peak was observed in ROCM. Heightened awareness is important for early recognition and treatment of this disease.
KW - Fungus
KW - Hematologic malignancy
KW - Mucormycosis
KW - Season
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=25144475862&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/000348940511400907
DO - 10.1177/000348940511400907
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C2 - 16240932
AN - SCOPUS:25144475862
SN - 0003-4894
VL - 114
SP - 695
EP - 698
JO - Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology
JF - Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology
IS - 9
ER -