Post-COVID-19 Intestinal and Mesenteric Mucormycosis

Niladri Banerjee1, Mahendra Lodha1, Prathyusha Kompally1

  • 1Department of General Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India.

The American Surgeon
|November 3, 2021
PubMed

Insights

A post-COVID-19 patient with uncontrolled diabetes developed severe intestinal mucormycosis. This rare opportunistic infection highlights the risks associated with weakened immunity following COVID-19 and diabetes management.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Mucormycosis is a rare, life-threatening fungal infection.
  • Gastrointestinal mucormycosis is particularly uncommon.
  • Recent COVID-19 infection can lead to immunosuppression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report an unusual case of extensive gastrointestinal mucormycosis.
  • To investigate the potential link between COVID-19 and mucormycosis.
  • To highlight risk factors for opportunistic infections post-COVID-19.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a 38-year-old male patient.
  • Microscopic diagnosis of intestinal and mesenteric mucormycosis.
  • Review of patient's medical history including uncontrolled diabetes and recent COVID-19 infection.

Main Results:

  • The patient presented with extensive bowel ischemia and gangrene.
  • Microscopic examination confirmed mucormycosis affecting the intestine and mesentery.
  • The infection occurred in the context of uncontrolled diabetes and recent COVID-19.

Conclusions:

  • Uncontrolled diabetes and COVID-19-induced immunosuppression are likely contributors to mucormycosis.
  • Gastrointestinal mucormycosis is a rare but severe complication in immunocompromised patients.
  • This case underscores the importance of monitoring for opportunistic infections post-COVID-19, especially in diabetic patients.

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