ISSN : 2663-2187

A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF INCIDENCE AND SEVERITY OF INVASIVE RHINO-ORBITAL MUCORMYCOSIS IN POST COVID PATIENTS, IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.

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Dr.Alekya Vemula, Dr.Niveda Ramachandran, Dr.Manoj Kumar.L
» doi: 10.33472/AFJBS.6.11.2024.729-740

Abstract

Background Recent COVID-19 infection is associated with increase in incidence of invasive fungal infection (Mucormycosis) among patients with uncontrolled T2DM, patients on steroids as part of treatment for COVID-19 infection. This is a report of incidence and severity of COVID-19 associated with mucormycosis in tertiary care hospital. Method We retrospectively investigated 19 cases of post COVID-19 rhino-orbital mucormycosis admitted in saveetha medical hospital between April 2021 to September 2021 during second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. The medical records of COVID-19 patients with rhino-orbital mucormycosis diagnosed in saveetha medical college included in the study. Result 19 patients with post COVID-19 rhino-orbital mucormycosis, identified from April 2021 to September 2021. Comorbidities-T2DM(54.3 %), 63% of patients received corticosteroids for COVID. The sites of involvement were rhino-sino-orbital (83%) and rhino-sino (17%). Liposomal amphotericin B and retrobulbar amphotericin -B injection with surgical debridement of sinuses alone or with orbital decompression/orbital exenteration was first-line therapy. Overall mortality rate was found to be 2/19. Conclusions We found high incidence of mucormycosis among post COVID-19 patients. Diabetes mellitus and use of corticosteroid were predominant predisposing factors for mucormycosis. Mucormycosis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection; hence knowing signs and symptoms of disease and developing a planned approach for patients who are at risk is important for diagnosis and starting therapy on time. It is important to screen patients with comorbidities like uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and patients on immunosuppressive therapy who were affected by COVID-19 disease for mucormycosis.

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