Isolation of Rhizopus microsporus and Lichtheimia corymbifera from tracheal aspirates of two immunocompetent critically ill patients with COVID-19

Abstract

We describe two fatal cases of COVID-19 in which Rhizopus microsporus and Lichtheimia corymbifera were cultured from endotracheal aspirate samples. Both patients had no underlying comorbidities other than obesity. Despite antifungal therapy, both cases developed septic shock and progressive refractory hypoxemia without evidence of other underlying infections. It is unclear whether isolation of these fungal organisms represents invasive disease or corresponds to an epiphenomenon of critical illness. Yet, patients suffering from COVID-19 may be at risk of superinfection from a broader range of fungal organisms than previously thought.

Keywords

• Mucormycosis
• Zygomycosis
• Fungal invasive infection
• COVID-19
• SARS-CoV-2