A Case Report of Mucormycosis in a Patient with a Recent History of COVID-19 Infection in India

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Mucormycosis is an angio-invasive fungal infection that increased significantly during the 2nd wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India. The rise of cases was attributed to inflammatory changes, poor quality oxygen, immune suppression, and corticosteroid therapy. Case Presentation This case study reports the history, treatment, and rehabilitation of a case of post-Covid-19 mucormycosis infection. The patient was admitted to the hospital following respiratory distress, at the beginning of the 2nd Covid-19 wave in India. Intravenous antibiotics, steroids, and moist O2 were administered, intensive support was provided and the patient was discharged after 13 days. Following extraction of 17, the patient reported signs of oro-antral communication which was managed by performing antral lavage and buccal advanced flap closure. Histopathological investigation of tissue salvaged during the procedure revealed the presence of fungal hyphae. Management and Prognosis Following diagnosis, anti-fungal medication was prescribed, and a maxillectomy was performed to remove the affected tissue. On follow-up, the tissue healed with no further complications or symptoms, and rehabilitation was performed using an obturators and are movable complete denture. Histopathological investigations were carried out on the tissue salvaged during maxillectomy which confirmed Mucormycosis infection. Conclusion: The importance of histopathological investigation in the diagnosis of any infectious disease is enumerated in this paper