Which patient group is at highest risk for mucormycosis?

• A. Asthmatics
• B. Hypertension
• C. Hyperlipidemia
• D. Diabetics

Answer: (D)

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fungal infection that most strongly targets people with impaired immune defenses, especially those with uncontrolled diabetes. In diabetics, particularly when ketoacidosis is present, high glucose and acidic conditions diminish neutrophil function and increase available free iron, creating a favorable environment for Mucorales to grow. The fungus is highly angioinvasive, so it can rapidly invade blood vessels and spread from the sinuses to the orbit and brain, making this infection particularly dangerous. Because these diabetes-related factors are not typically present in asthma, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia, diabetics are at the highest risk among the options.