Prolonged Antifungal Therapy and Survival in a Liver Transplant Recipient with Rhino-Orbitocerebral Mucormycosis: A Case Report
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CASE REPORT
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24 February 2026

Prolonged Antifungal Therapy and Survival in a Liver Transplant Recipient with Rhino-Orbitocerebral Mucormycosis: A Case Report

Mediterr J Infect Microb Antimicrob. Published online 24 February 2026.
1. İnönü University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Malatya, Türkiye
2. İnönü University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Malatya, Türkiye
3. İnönü University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Malatya, Türkiye
4. İnönü University Faculty of Medicine, Liver Transplant Institute, Department of General Surgery, Malatya, Türkiye
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Received Date: 13.12.2025
Accepted Date: 13.02.2026
E-Pub Date: 24.02.2026
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Abstract

Mucormycosis is a rare and rapidly progressive fungal infection associated with high mortality, particularly among immunocompromised individuals. Solid organ transplant recipients remain at risk not only during the early posttransplant period but also during episodes of intensified immunosuppression for rejection. We report the case of a 14-year-old female liver transplant recipient who developed rhino-orbitocerebral mucormycosis that was initially misdiagnosed as a dental abscess and orbital cellulitis. Early clinical suspicion, prompt histopathological confirmation, aggressive surgical management—including enucleation and partial maxillectomy—and prolonged antifungal therapy (liposomal amphotericin B followed by posaconazole) resulted in survival despite cerebral involvement. At 18 months posttransplantation, the patient remains alive and continues antifungal therapy, with radiologically stable residual lesions. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion, ensuring early diagnostic confirmation, and implementing prolonged, individualized antifungal therapy to achieve favorable outcomes in liver transplant recipients with cerebral mucormycosis.

Keywords:
Mucormycosis, liver transplantation, solid organ transplantation, antifungal therapy, cerebral involvement