Published online Dec 26, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i36.11338
Peer-review started: April 17, 2021
First decision: July 15, 2021
Revised: August 6, 2021
Accepted: November 5, 2021
Article in press: November 5, 2021
Published online: December 26, 2021
Processing time: 250 Days and 6.5 Hours
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who suffer severe infection or comorbidities have an increased risk of developing fungal infections. There is a possibility that such infections are missed or misdiagnosed, in which case patients may suffer higher morbidity and mortality. COVID-19 infection, aggressive management strategies and comorbidities like diabetes render patients prone to opportunistic fungal infections. Mucormycosis is one of the opportunistic fungal infections that may affect treated COVID patients.
We present a case series of four adult males who were diagnosed with mucormycosis post-COVID-19 recovery. All the patients had diabetes and a history of systemic corticosteroids for treatment of COVID-19. The mean duration between diagnosis of COVID-19 and development of symptoms of mucor was 15.5 ± 14.5 (7–30) d. All patients underwent debridement and were started on antifungal therapy. One patient was referred to a higher center for further management, but the others responded well to treatment and showed signs of improvement at the last follow-up.
Early diagnosis and management of mucormycosis with appropriate and aggressive antifungals and surgical debridement can improve survival.
Core Tip: Mucormycosis usually indicates a serious underlying medical condition such as diabetes. Furthermore, the immune dysregulation post coronavirus disease 2019, and widespread use of immunosuppressants and broad-spectrum antibiotics may lead to enhanced susceptibility to a number of secondary opportunistic infections such as mucormycosis. Clinical suspicion along with prompt microbiological diagnosis are indispensable to a positive case outcome.