Mucormycosis of Maxillofacial Region Secondary to COVID-19 Infection and It’s Management: A Review

Asawari Yadav,Dalvi Tanushri,Prachi Sakpal,Pranjali Narale,Shrivardhan Kalghatgi

doi:10.9734/jpri/2022/v34i13a35574

Asawari Yadav, Dalvi Tanushri + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.9734/jpri/2022/v34i13a35574

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Abstract

Mucormycosis mainly affects people who have health problems or take medicines that lower the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness. It most commonly affects the sinuses or the lungs after inhaling fungal spores from the air. It can also occur on the skin after a cut, burn, or other type of skin injury. The most common types that cause mucormycosis are Rhizopus species and Mucor species. Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection with high morbidity and mortality but nowadays it is observed in many covid -19 patients therefore it is identified as a complication after covid-19. It is most commonly seen in patients with systemic illness such as Diabetes Mellitus, Neutropenia, corticosteroid use, Organ transplantation, advanced age and also seen in patients who have stayed prolonged in ICU. This review article includes etiology, risk factors, site specificity, oral manifestations of Mucormycosis, diagnosis based on oral and maxillofacial symptoms and also management of the complications.

Highlights

Mucormycosis, known as black fungus is an opportunistic infection infection common in patients with Covid-19
The estimated prevalence of mucormycosis in India was established at an alarming rate of nearly 70 times higher than the global data according to the Epidemiology report in 2021 [3]
Dentists should be aware of the increased incidence of mucormycosis in post covid patient especially in immunocompromised individuals because of symptoms such as atypical facial or sinus pain, blackish discharge and unexpected toothache

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Mucormycosis, known as black fungus is an opportunistic infection infection common in patients with Covid-19. It is an invasive fungal infection caused primarily by fungi from subphylum Mucormycotina and the order Mucorales. Rhinocerebral and pulmonary infections are caused by inhalation of spores and cutaneous infections are caused by spores entering the skin. It can infiltrate the blood vessels and spread to brain and other organs resulting in disseminated infections [2]. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, immune compromised individuals and patients admitted in the ICU for a long time are the most prominent risk factors for Mucormycosis [3]

DENTAL IMPLICATIONS

CONCLUSION

MANAGEMENT