AUTHOR=Wang Shanshan , Liu Yanqing , Hu Liqing , Qian Guoqing , Mo Yijun 

TITLE=Case Report: Pulmonary mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus microsporus in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1544621

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2025.1544621

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=BackgroundWe report a rare case of pulmonary mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus microsporus, which is rare in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Rhizopus microsporus had been reported as the most common etiological agent associated with human infections, except Rhizopus oryzae in some studies.Case presentationWe described a case of 81-year-old man with pulmonary mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus microsporus but no other apparent risk factors including diabetes. The diagnosis mainly relied on sputum cultures and clinical manifestations. Despite antifungal therapy, his condition worsened, resulting in mortality.ConclusionIn this case, the patient had no underlying diseases such as diabetes or solid tumors. Clinicians should be aware of routine pathogenic microbiological tests of pulmonary mucormycosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Early and aggressive treatment can lead to improved prognosis.