Mucormycosis - The deadly fungus – A case report with dental perspective

Abstract

Mucormycosis is a fungal infection caused by members of Mucorales and zygomycotic species. These are saprophytes known as Mucormycotina that grow from rotten matter or soils during the decomposition of soil. It has been seen affecting many COVID-19-affected patients recently in India. Mucormycosis can be diagnosed in six different sites depending on the immunological status and the site of the body affected. The six manifestations are rhinocerebral, pulmonary, cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system or disseminated forms. Here, we present a dental case of mucormycosis or black fungus disease that has affected an immune-compromised patient who had suffered from COVID-19 2 months ago. Surgical debridement was done and the histopathologic study revealed fungal hyphae. Systemic antifungal therapy was administered that helped the patient to recover in 7-week time.

Molecular diagnosis of rhino-orbital mucormycosis in a COVID-19 setting

“…The signs and symptoms of the patients with rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM), the most common manifestation of the disease, are facial pain, lethargy, diplopia, ophthalmoplegia, proptosis, ptosis and rarely neurological involvement. Due to the appearance of invaded necrosed tissue as black eschar, the condition earned its name as ‘Black fungus’ [ 2 , 9 ]. Depending on the severity of the infection, surgical decisions such as Exenteration, TRAMB, Debridement or Debulking have been considered.…”