Endemic in pandemic: Mucormycosis

Abstract

Orbital mucormycosis is a dreaded condition and may lead to fatal intracranial infection if it spreads to the intracranial sinuses. The infection is caused by fungi of the order Mucorales. Rhizopus has been reported to be the causative pathogen. The main route of infection is through inhalation of the fungal spores, which may cause lung infection. However, patients with diabetes, immunosuppression, and steroid use are more prone to the infection. We present a case of orbital mucormycosis in a patient who had recovered from coronavirus disease 2019. Early diagnosis and management helped salvage the vision of the patient.

Keywords

• coronavirus disease 2019
• diabetes mellitus
• mucormycosis
• rhizopus