ABSTRACT
Purpose: To report the clinico?demographic profile of rhino?orbito?cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) in patients during the “second wave” of the COVID?19 pandemic in eastern India, and their ophthalmic manifestations at presentation to our tertiary institute. Methods: Cross?sectional study amongst patients presenting to our center based on their hospital records. Demographic information, history related to COVID?19, records of detailed ocular examination, and microbiological, radiological, and histopathological investigation were entered into an online worksheet and analyzed using SPSS 26.0. Results: A total of 219 patients with ROCM were treated from May to September 2021, and 110 of these had ocular manifestations at presentation (50.2%). The age of patients ranged from 22 to 83 years and the mean ± standard deviation (SD) age was 49.9 ± 12.9 years. Ninety (81.8%) patients had been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, 31 (34%) had hypertension, and 10 had other comorbidities. The duration between the onset of COVID?19 and mucormycosis symptoms was 0 to 60 days with a mean ± SD interval of 20.9 ± 12.6 days. Fifty?six (50.9%) patients had a history of steroid use. Unrelenting ocular or facial pain was the most common presenting symptom, ptosis was the most common anterior segment manifestation, and ophthalmic artery occlusion was the most common posterior segment manifestation. Conclusion: Our data from eastern India reinforces the relationship between COVID?19, diabetes, corticosteroid use, and ROCM. Knowledge of various presenting anterior and posterior segment manifestations of the disease as described in the present study will guide clinicians to recognize the disease early and make every effort to prevent complications.
ABSTRACT
Mucormycosis has emerged as an important fungal infection with high associated mortality rates. Mucormycosis causes devastating angio-invasive fungal infections, primarily in patients with underlying risk factors. The prevalence of mortality associated with invasive Mucormycosis is high (>30-50%), with 90% mortality contributed by disseminated disease. Sudden rise in Mucormycosis cases during the COVID-19 pandemic came as a surprise to all. Lowered immunity due to COVID and associated conditions like diabetes, made the population susceptible to this dreaded disease. This disease led to both increase in morbidity and mortality among the general population. Aim of the Study : To interpret in detail the causes of mortality of patients presenting with COVID Associated Mucormycosis (CAM-19) at AIIMS Patna between May-November, 2021. Materials and Methods : An observational study of all patients who were treated for mucormycosis during the period of May 2021-Nov 2021 in ENT Department, AIIMS, Patna. During the period of study, 219 patients of RhinoOrbital-Cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM) were admitted for treatment. Five patients had gone on Leave Against Medical Advice (LAMA). So, 214 patients were included in the study. Results : Among the 214 patients, 165 patients were treated surgically through both endoscopic and open approaches along with antifungal therapy management. 41 patients died during the hospital course of the treatment. The mortality rate of ROCM stood at 19.15% in our series. Pulmonary Mucormycosis had high mortality (100%). Diabetes is the most common risk factor. Multiple co-morbidities and extensive intracranial involvement had a strong association with mortality. Conclusion : The advanced stage of ROCM was associated with more deaths. Our series mortality rate of 19.15% is lower than most of the other documented mortality rates. Our results support that early aggressive surgical approach, antifungal therapy and multidisciplinary approach has reduced the mortality