Clinical-epidemiological Profile of Coronavirus Disease 19 Associated Mucomycosis (CAM) and Relation with Zinc and Iron Levels

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Coronavirus disease associated mucormycosis (CAM), perturbed a lot by reaching to epidemic proportions particularly during the second wave of the pandemic. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective, observational study of patients with COVID-19-associated mucomycosis admitted in April-May 2021 at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Demographic profile, clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded Multidisciplinary treatment including antifungals and surgical interventions were noted. Results: This study included 98patients of mucormycosis, diagnosed on the basis of clinical and radiological findings and later were confirmed by microbiological investigations. Out of 98 patients, 72 had rhino orbital, 24 had rhino-orbital- cerebral and 2 had pulmonary mucormycosis. Twelve had coinfection of covid 19 while 86 had developed mucormycosis within 3 weeks. Conclusion: CAM has posed as a continuum of challenges faced during the pandemic of covid 19. This rare and life threatening complication requires high index of suspicion for early diagnosis. Multidisciplinary involvement and timely interventions including antifungal pharmacotherapy, stringent glycemic control and surgical debridement can reduce the mortality. Mucormycosis is uniformly associated with low iron levels but role of zinc needs to be further studied