Early diagnosis of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients by computerized tomography scan and biopsy in intensive care unit patients with COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19) cases were increasing a while ago with rising in morbidity and mortality rates. severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected patients have many variant presentations from asymptomatic up to severe acute respiratory syndrome. Objective: The aim of this work was a trial of early diagnosis of mucormycosis in covid-19 patients that need ICU admission using CT scan and histopathology. Materials and methods: This prospective study was carried out on 64 patients with covid-19 who received steroid therapy. All patients were subjected to computerized tomography scan on the nose and paranasal sinuses, request for ophthalmology and neurology for further assessment and extension of complications, surgical debridement of necrosed tissue (when patients fit for surgery), histopathology, confirming the diagnosis of mucormycosis. Results: Duration between covid infection and mucormycosis infection was ≤15 days in 17 patients (26.6%), more than 2 weeks up-to 4weeks (one month) in 45 patients (70.3%), and two months in 2 (3.1%). Conclusions: The incidence of mucormycosis is likely to rise, both as a co‑infection and as a sequela of COVID‑19. Early diagnosis and management with appropriate and aggressive antifungals and surgical debridement can improve survival.