Zygomycosis is the broadest term to refer to infections caused by bread mold fungi of the zygomycota phylum.

However, because zygomycota has been identified as polyphyletic, and is not included in modern fungal classification systems, the diseases that zygomycosis can refer to are better called by their specific names: mucormycosis[1] (after Mucorales), phycomycosis[2] (after Phycomycetes) and basidiobolomycosis (after Basidiobolus).

While most individuals are exposed to the fungi on a regular basis, those with immune disorders (immunocompromised) are more prone to fungal infection.

[2][5][6] These types of infections are also common after natural disasters, such as tornadoes or earthquakes, where people have open wounds that have become filled with soil or vegetative matter.

In 2005, a multiplex PCR test was able to identify five species of Rhizopus and may prove useful as a screening method for visceral mucormycosis in the future.

[14] The clinical approach to diagnosis includes radiologic, where more than ten nodules and pleural effusion are associated to pulmonary forms of the disease.

Invasive procedures such as bronchial endoscopy and lung biopsy may be necessary to confirm pulmonary diagnosis are no validated indirect tests are available.

[13][18][19] In a documented case, conservative surgical drainage and intravenous amphotericin B in an insulin-dependent diabetic was proven effective in sino-orbital infection.

Zygomycosis has been described in a cat, where fungal infection of the tracheobronchus led to respiratory disease requiring euthanasia.