Mucormycoses in Covid-19 Patients

Objective: The goal of the study was to report clinical characteristics, contributing variables and outcome of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated mucormycosis (CAM). Study Design: Observational/descriptive study Place and Duration: Multan Medical and Dental College and Bakhtawar Amin Medical and Dental College. Duration Jan 2021 to July 2021. Methods: Total 90 patients of both genders had symptoms of mucormycosis during pandemic corona virus disease were presented in this study. Patients were aged between 22-80 years. Patients detailed demographics age, sex, body mass index and duration of disease were calculated after taking informed written consent. Patients were admitted in COVID-19 emergency ward and underwent for RT-PCR and MRI. Comorbidities, symptoms and cause of mucormycosis were assessed. At the end of study mortality rate, hospital stay and ICU admission were calculated. The SPSS 20.0 version was used to examine the entire set of data. Results: Majority of the patients 65 (72.2%) were males and the rest were females 25 (27.8%). Mean age of the patients were 51.42 +/- 12.64 years with mean BMI 28.44 +/- 8.72 kg/m(2). 55 (61.1%) cases had COVID-19 and 35 (38.9%) were recovered from corona virus in this study. Mean duration of mucormycosis was 18.08 +/- 7.11 days. Most common symptoms of disease were eye pain/swollen of eyes, nasal stiffness, headache and blurring of vision. Rhino-orbital mucormycosis found in 63 (70%) cases. Majority of the cases were from urban areas 60 (66.7%) and 38 (42.2%) were literate. Diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbidity found in 70 (77.8%). Frequent consumption of the steroids during pandemic disease was the most common cause found in 59 (65.6%) cases. Mortality rate was 32 (35.6%) at the end of study. Conclusion: In this study we found that the complication of COVID-19 in high-risk patients can be mucormycosis. Poor diabetes mellitus is a significant CAM predisposing factor and frequent usage of excess steroids were the most common cause. Systematic surveillance for diabetes mellitus control and to educate the doctors are indicated for early detection of CAM.