What is Rhizopus oryzae?
The genus Rhizopus is classified under the family Mucoraceae in the order Mucorales of the phylum Zygomycota. R. oryzae is the most important and representative agent of mucormycosis. R. oryzae and the other members of Mucorales are recovered in profusion from decaying vegetables, fruits and their seeds, grains, compost piles, soil, animal excreta, and molding bread. Since it is ubiquitous in nature, mucormycosis cases are reported worldwide. The majority of mucormycosis patients have a serious underlying condition, such as diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, starvation, burns, or other major trauma. Pathologically, mucormycosis is characterized by vascular invasion with hyphae, infarction and necrosis of tissue, and by an acute or subacute course of infection. Of the many forms of clinical manifestation, the most common form caused by Rhizopus species is the rhinocerebral and craniofacial mucormycosis. This originates in the paranasal sinus but presents in contiguous structures of o
