A hospital-based study on COVID-19 patients with rhino-orbital mucormycosis

Abstract

Coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus produce opportunistic fungal infections. Mucormycosis is an acute onset rapidly progressive fatal infection. Incidence of rhino-orbital mucormycosis raised during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in India. Diabetes, steroid therapy, cancer, prolonged hospitalization, and metabolic acidosis are the risk factors of post-COVID-19 mucormycosis. Objectives of this study were to suggest the risk factors, clinical features, investigations, and treatment of post-COVID-19 rhino-orbital mucormycosis. This study will guide the future research and the clinician will be aware about this complication of COVID-19. After getting permission from the Institutional Ethical Committee and consent from patients, we studied 10 cases of post-COVID-19 rhino-orbital mucormycosis from April to September 2021 during our duty in COVID-19 admission desk and COVID-19 ward in NRS Medical College, Kolkata. After taking history, we observed the clinical features, investigations, and treatment of the patients. Symptoms of the patients were nasal discharge, nasal block, headache, facial swelling, and blackish discoloration of skin. Most of the patients were diabetic. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-PNS was showed sinonasal mass. Amphotericin-B was used and debridement was the main surgical procedure. Microscopy showed broad aseptate hyphae suggesting mucor. Early diagnosis and proper treatment will reduce the morbidity and mortality of the patient with post-COVID rhino-orbital mucormycosis.