Spinal Mucormycosis with MRSA Superinfection in a Diabetic Female: A Rare and Lethal Encounter.

BACKGROUND: Spinal infections due to fungi are uncommon, representing less than 2% of all spinal infection cases. Among these, mucormycosis is exceptionally rare, with only 15 cases reported in the English literature to date. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present the case of a 55-year-old woman with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus who developed low back pain, bilateral radiculopathy, and progressive neurological decline. Imaging revealed L5-S1 discitis with paraspinal and epidural abscess. She underwent surgical debridement and stabilization. Microbiological analysis of intraoperative samples initially confi rmed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), followed by growth of Mucor racemosus on fungal culture. Despite aggressive antifungal therapy with liposomal amphotericin B, surgical re-exploration, and multidisciplinary intensive care, the patient succumbed to sepsis and cardiac arrest on postoperative day 33. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the fi rst reported case of dual infection with MRSA and spinal mucormycosis. This case highlights the importance of early fungal cultures, prompt antifungal initiation, and a multidisciplinary approach in immunocompromised patients.