Association of Markers of iron Metabolism with Mucormycosis: A Case Control Study

To estimate the association of mucormycosis with markers of iron metabolism and to correlate levels of serum ferritin with stage of mucormycosis.

We conducted a case control study in hundred (50 cases and 50 controls) patients. Biopsy proven mucormycosis patients were taken as cases. Controls were selected from the same study population as the cases, and they were representative of the population at risk. Controls were matched for the age, gender, and all known risk factors of mucormycosis, and for each case, one control was taken.

We enrolled 50 cases and 50 controls. Rhino-orbital mucormycosis (50%) was the most encountered clinical presentation among cases followed by rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (36%). Diabetes mellitus was the most commonly encountered risk factor (96%). The mean serum iron (ug/dl) value (41.5 vs. 72, p < 0.001) and transferrin saturation (%) value (14.1 vs. 19.86, < 0.001) were significantly lower in cases than in controls. The mean serum ferritin (ng/ml) value (2087.6 vs. 174.5, < 0.001) was higher in cases as compared to controls.

Higher serum ferritin values seem to be an indicator of the severity of disease in the present study. Individuals with elevated serum ferritin levels must be carefully managed with anticipation of severe outcomes, especially in those who have concurrent risk factors.