COVID-19 associated mucormycosis in Assiut University Hospitals: a multidisciplinary dilemma

Abstract

Mucormycosis is a life-threatening opportunistic angioinvasive fungal infection. We aimed to describe the frequency, presentations, predictors, and in-hospital outcome of mucormycosis patients in the scope of CoronaVirusDisease-19 (COVID-19) during the third viral pandemic wave. This cross-sectional retrospective study included all patients who fulfilled the criteria of mucormycosis with concurrent confirmed covid19 infection admitted to Assuit University Hospital between March 2021 and July 2021. Overall, 433 patients with definite covid-19 infection, of which 33 (7.63%) participants were infected with mucormycosis. Mucormycosis was predominantly seen in males (21 vs. 12; p = 0.01). Diabetes mellitus (35% vs. 63.6%; p < 0.001), hypertension (2% vs.45.5%; p 0.04), and Smoking (26.5% vs. 54.5%; p < 0.001) were all significantly higher in mucormycosis patients. Inflammatory markers, especially E.S.R., were significantly higher in those with mucormycosis (p < 0.001). The dose of steroid intake was significantly higher among patients with mucormycosis (160 mg vs. 40 mg; p < 0.001). Except for only three patients alive by residual infection, 30 patients died. The majority (62%) of patients without mucormycosis were alive. Male sex; Steroid misuse; D.M.; Sustained inflammation; Severe infection were significant risk factors for mucormycosis by univariate analysis; however, D.M.; smoking and raised E.S.R. were predictors for attaining mucormycosis by multivariate analysis.