Massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to colonic mucormycosis

Jalihal A, Kafeel G, Chong VH.

Med J Malaysia. 2011 Aug;66(3):266-7.

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding is usually due to haemorrhoids, diverticular disease, or colorectal cancer. Infective causes of gastrointestinal bleeding are rare. A 70-year-old lady was admitted with septic shock secondary to community acquired pneumonia. She later developed massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to colonic mucormycosis. Her condition deteriorated rapidly and she died of septicemia. Mucormycosis of the colon is extremely rare and is still associated with a high mortality.

Correspondence: Chong VH. Department of Medicine, RIPAS Hospital, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. email: chongvuih@yahoo.co.uk