Mucormycosis infection associated with global COVID-19 pandemic - an institutional histopathological study

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Pathology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• COVID-19 has led to increased immunosuppression and opportunistic infections globally.
• Mucormycosis is a severe fungal infection, ranking third in incidence after candidiasis and aspergillosis.
• This study compares mucormycosis cases before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the histopathological differences between pre-pandemic mucormycosis (PPM) and pandemic-associated mucormycosis (PAM).
• To identify key histological features that may correlate with disease severity and patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 105 histopathologically diagnosed mucormycosis cases.
• Evaluation of demographic data and histopathological parameters including fungal load, necrosis, granuloma formation, and tissue invasion.
• Comparison between PPM and PAM groups.

Main Results:

• 94% of cases were classified as PAM, with 54% of these also being COVID-19 positive.
• PAM cases exhibited significantly higher fungal load and necrosis compared to PPM cases.
• Histopathological variables showed distinct patterns between the two groups.

Conclusions:

• Histopathological findings like fungal load and necrosis are crucial for assessing the clinical status of mucormycosis patients.
• These parameters can assist clinicians in tailoring treatment strategies for improved patient management.
• Understanding these differences is vital for managing the rise in opportunistic infections during pandemics.