Disseminated infection caused by Cunninghamella bertholletiae in a patient with beta-thalassemia. Case report and review of the literature.

Rare cases of acute mucormycosis in immunocompromised persons have been attributed to Cunninghamella bertholletiae. We report the first known case of this organism causing a chronic, indolent, systemic disease clinically similar to entomophthoramycosis. Cunninghamella bertholletiae is an opportunistic pathogen whose morbidity may be underappreciated because it is usually considered to be a laboratory contaminant.