Histopathological Features of Fungal Infections in Sinonasal, Oral and Orbital Sites Associated with COVID-19 Patients

ABSTRACT

Background: The COVID- 19 infections are associated with wide range of bacterial and fungal co-infections. They may be associated with various comorbidities. Definite diagnosis requires demonstration of fungi in tissue sections or in culture. Yield of organism in culture is suboptimal. Hence histopathology plays critical role in establishing the diagnosis and provide evidence of tissue invasion. Objective(s) To study the histopathological features of fungal infections in sino nasal, oral and orbital area associated with COVID-19 patients. Material(s) and Method(s) One hundred twenty cases of fungal infections involving sinonasal, oral and orbital area in laboratory confirmed COVID-19 positive patients between June-September 2021 were taken for study. Clinical data was recorded, histopathological examination was done along with periodic acid Schiff stain and culture report was obtained. Result(s) The study included 92(76.6%) males and 28(23.3%) females with age ranging from 13 to 78 years. The tissues included debridement, biopsy and excision specimen. Acute inflammation was seen in 8(6.66%) cases, chronic inflammation in 112(93.33%), granulomas in 25, thrombosis in 14, necrosis in 104, angioinvasion in 13, perineuritis in 10 and bone invasion in 18 cases. Mixed fungal infection was seen in 11cases. Conclusion(s) Histopathology remains the mainstay in diagnosis of invasive fungal infections especially when culture is negative. Copyright © 2022 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.