B46

Zygomycosis

Any infection due to a fungus of the zygomycota phylum. The disease typically involves the rhino-facial-cranial area, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, skin, or less commonly other organ systems. The infecting fungi have a predilection for invading vessels of the arterial system, causing embolization and subsequent necrosis of surrounding tissue.

Infection in humans and animals caused by fungi in the class zygomycetes. It includes mucormycosis and entomophthoramycosis. The latter is a tropical infection of subcutaneous tissue or paranasal sinuses caused by fungi in the order entomophthorales. Phycomycosis, closely related to zygomycosis, describes infection with members of phycomycetes, an obsolete classification.