Cutaneous Mucormycosis in Tornado Survivors

A total of 18 suspected cases of cutaneous mucormycosis were identified in survivors of the May 2011 tornado in Joplin, Missouri. Apophysomyces trapeziformis was identified in 13 of the patients with microbiologically or histologically proven infection by DNA sequencing. Apophysomyces are classically associated with necrotizing skin and soft-tissue infections following traumatic inoculation of the fungal spores. Although cases of Apophysomyces infection were previously reported in survivors of tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, this is believed to be the first reported case series of cutaneous mucormycosis in tornado survivors.