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[Invasive mucormycosis during COVID-19 infection. Report of two cases]
Dana Camhi1, María Ignacia López1, Alan Wiener1
1Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile.
Abstract:
COVID-19 disease is associated with a significant number of opportunistic infections, including invasive fungal infections such as mucormycosis. The prevalence of the latter is rare, estimated to be between 0.005 and 1.7 per million inhabitants. Risk factors include hematological diseases, Diabetes Mellitus with poor metabolic control, solid organ transplantation, neutropenia, and prolonged administration of systemic corticosteroids. We report two males aged 60 and 75 years with pulmonary and tracheobronchial invasive mucormycosis, respectively. Both patients had a deficient metabolic control of their diabetes as a predisposing risk factor added to severe COVID-19 infection. High suspicion and early diagnosis are essential for prompt treatment, especially considering the associated high morbidity and mortality of this fungal infection.
Insights
COVID-19 patients with poorly controlled diabetes face a rare risk of invasive fungal infections like mucormycosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for better outcomes in these high-risk cases.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Mycology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- COVID-19 is linked to opportunistic infections, including rare invasive fungal infections.
- Mucormycosis, a severe fungal infection, has a low prevalence but high mortality.
- Risk factors include diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, and corticosteroid use.
Observation:
- This report details two male patients (60 and 75 years old) with invasive mucormycosis.
- One patient presented with pulmonary mucormycosis; the other had tracheobronchial mucormycosis.
- Both patients had severe COVID-19 and poorly controlled diabetes mellitus.
Findings:
- Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus was a significant predisposing factor in both cases.
- The cases highlight the potential for mucormycosis to develop in COVID-19 patients with specific risk factors.
- Invasive fungal infections require high clinical suspicion for timely intervention.
Implications:
- Emphasizes the need for vigilance regarding opportunistic infections in severe COVID-19 patients, particularly those with diabetes.
- Underscores the importance of early diagnosis and prompt management of mucormycosis to reduce morbidity and mortality.
- Suggests that metabolic control in diabetic patients may be a critical factor in preventing such severe complications post-COVID-19.
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