Post COVID-19 Mucormycosis in Immunocompromised Individuals with Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus: A Series of Seven Cases

Abstract

An upsurge in the cases of severe opportunistic infections such as mucormycosis has been observed due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), that is a viral infection caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Even though it was a rare opportunistic infection, the incidence of this disease seems to be increasing with the emergence of COVID19 infection worldwide. Individuals are vulnerable to this secondary infection due to uncontrolled diabetes, coronavirus disease infection therapy, immunosuppression, and pre-existing co-morbidities. This case series aimed to report how aggressive and fatal mucormycosis can be in diabetic and immunocompromised cases as well as the outcome of its treatment protocol. Authors hereby have reported seven individuals treated at our institute, who were affected by COVID-19 a few months back, were long-term diabetics and then, developed mucormycosis. Removal of all devitalised tissue was the treatment protocol author followed, along with antifungal therapy. All the cases were monitored using clinical evaluation and Computed Tomography (CT). Amongst the seven individuals, five survived uneventfully with no recurrence of the infection.

Keywords

• amphotericin-b
• black fungus
• coronavirus disease-2019
• immunosuppression
• posaconazole
• zygomycosis