Rare, Aggressive Fungus Strikes Joplin Tornado Victims

Zygomycosis, now known as mucormycosis, is a fungal infection that spreads rapidly and can be caused by soil or vegetative material becoming embedded under the skin. It's more prevalent in people with weakened immune systems or untreated diabetes but can affect healthy people who suffer trauma and are injected with contaminated soil. ... Treatment currently consists of aggressive serial surgical debridement with IV amphotericin therapy."