Late diagnosis of rhinocerebral mucormycosis in patients with COVID-19 (case studies)

Abstract

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of secondary infections (both bacterial and fungal) has increased due to immune suppression associated with the use of corticosteroids or broad-spectrum antibiotics as a part of COVID-19 treatment protocol, which may exacerbate a pre-existing fungal disease or cause a new infection. Ophthalmologists are often involved in taking medical and surgical decisions in these complex cases. In this regard, a strong clinical suspicion should be applied to possible secondary fungal infections in COVID-19. Their early diagnosis and treatment may reduce mortality due to COVID-19 associated rhinocerebral mucormycosis (ROCM). This article describes two clinical cases of late detection of ROCM with two different scenarios, and compare the features of these cases with the literature data.