Chaetomium globosum: Spotting a scarce saprophyte in bacterial-fungal co-infection of the sinuses in a post-COVID-19 patient

Abstract

Atypical fungal co-infections in post-COVID-19 patients may have been underreported due to limited diagnostic methods. We present a case of Chaetomium globosum sinusitis in a 55-year-old post-COVID-19 patient with pain in the left side of the face, mimicking rhino-cerebral mucormycosis.CT-paranasal sinuses showed mucosal thickening of left paranasal sinuses, biopsy of which grew a velvety, white colony. It was confirmed as Chaetomium globosum. The patient responded to oral Posaconazole therapy for three months.Prompt identification of atypical fungal agents is critical for appropriate treatment.

Keywords

• Chaetomium globosum
• Post COVID-19
• Perithecia
• Ascocarp
• Fungal co-infection