What are the guidelines for Mucormycosis according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) 2019?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: February 10, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

From the Guidelines

Mucormycosis treatment should be initiated immediately with high-dose liposomal amphotericin B as the first-line treatment, accompanied by surgical debridement and control of underlying conditions.

Guidelines for Mucormycosis Treatment

  • First-line treatment: High-dose liposomal amphotericin B is strongly recommended as the first-line treatment for mucormycosis, with a minimum dose of 5 mg/kg/day 1.
  • Surgical debridement: Surgical debridement with clean margins is strongly recommended in addition to antifungal treatment, especially for rhino-orbito-cerebral, soft tissue, and localized pulmonary lesions 1.
  • Control of underlying conditions: Control of underlying conditions, such as diabetes, neutropenia, and immunosuppression, is strongly recommended to improve treatment outcomes 1.
  • Alternative treatments: Isavuconazole and posaconazole are recommended with moderate strength as alternative treatments, with specific dosing regimens outlined in the guidelines 1.
  • Amphotericin B deoxycholate: Amphotericin B deoxycholate is recommended against due to its substantial toxicity, but may be considered in resource-limited settings 1.

Important Considerations

  • Dosing regimens: Specific dosing regimens for liposomal amphotericin B, isavuconazole, and posaconazole are outlined in the guidelines, with considerations for renal impairment and other factors 1.
  • Salvage treatment: Posaconazole and isavuconazole are strongly recommended as salvage treatments for patients who do not respond to first-line treatment 1.

From the Research

Mucormycosis Guidelines

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) 2019 guidelines for Mucormycosis are not directly mentioned in the provided studies. However, the studies provide information on the treatment and management of Mucormycosis:

  • The latest recommendations strongly recommend as first-line therapy the use of liposomal amphotericin B (≥5mg/kg) combined with surgery whenever possible 2.
  • Lipid formulations of amphotericin B (LFAB) are the mainstay of therapy, but the newer triazoles, posaconazole (POSA) and isavuconazole (ISAV), may be effective in patients refractory to or intolerant of LFAB 3.
  • Antifungal therapeutic options are few, with polyenes and their combinations being appropriate for empirical therapy, while posaconazole and isavuconazole are best reserved for de-escalation, refractory cases, or patients intolerant to amphotericin B 4.
  • Early recognition of infection is critical for treatment success, followed by prompt initiation of antifungal therapy with lipid formulation amphotericin B, and posaconazole and isavuconazole should be used for stepdown and salvage therapy 5.

Treatment Approaches

The treatment approaches for Mucormycosis include:

  • Antifungal therapy with liposomal amphotericin B as the first-line treatment 2, 3, 5.
  • Surgical debridement or excision as an important adjunctive role in the treatment of Mucormycosis 2, 3, 4, 5.
  • Use of posaconazole and isavuconazole as second-line therapy or for stepdown and salvage therapy 2, 3, 4, 5.

Important Considerations

Important considerations in the treatment of Mucormycosis include:

  • Early recognition of infection is critical for treatment success 5.
  • Prompt initiation of antifungal therapy is essential for improving outcomes 5.
  • Identifying underlying risk factors is important for proper treatment 4.
  • Surgical debridement should be done prior to the dissemination of infection to improve clinical outcomes 4.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Mucormycosis.

Seminars in respiratory and critical care medicine, 2020

Research

Mucormycosis: The hidden and forgotten disease.

Journal of applied microbiology, 2022

Research

Mucormycosis.

Infectious disease clinics of North America, 2021

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.