COVID-19 pneumonia and mucormycosis a new challenging duo- rhino-occulo-cerebral mucormycosis: a case report

Abstract

The pandemic of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed challenge not only in management of the primary disease but the emerging complications associated with COVID-19 has further complicated the course of disease. The course of COVID-19 disease is associated with infectious and noninfectious complications former include secondary bacterial and fungal infection adding to mortality and morbidity. COVID-19 disease associated candidiasis and aspergillosis have been reported as super infections but with the steroid and supplemental oxygen as mainstay treatment modality mucormycosis is now complicating the course of disease and presently posing challenge in India with already overburdened health care service. Mucorales is a saphrophytic fungi causes rhinocerebral infection involving nasal passages, sinuses, oral cavity and brain. It is usually seen in immunocompromised host and in diabetics with poorly controlled blood sugar level. High degree of clinical suspicion is needed to suspect and diagnose mucormycosis. It is a fatal disease because of its angioinvasive pathogenesis and treatment is promptly initiated to salvage mortality and morbidity. Authors report a case of rhino-oculo-cerebral mucormycosis in a middle-aged diabetic patient with severe COVID-19 disease.