RESUMO
Background: Hypercoagulability is a common complication seen in COVID-19 infection. However, arterial thrombosis such as acute limb ischemia (ALI) is far less common. Data on the incidence and nature of arterial thromboembolic complications in patients with COVID-19 is limited, originating from a few case reports and case series. Data in the African continent are very scarce. Method: This is a case series of 10 patients with COVID-19 who developed ALI while on treatment at Eka Kotebe General Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. All patients with ALI and COVID-19 admitted between February 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021, were retrospectively identified and reviewed. COVID-19 was confirmed by RT-PCR and ALI was confirmed by Doppler ultrasound and/or computed tomography angiography in the presence of clinical suspicion. Results: A total of 3098 patients were hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 during the study period. In a series of 10 patients, 8 (80%) males with a median age of 53.5 years were included. All except one (10%) had one or more risk factors for ALI and one had a 'possible' case of vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) associated with ALI. All were admitted with severe COVID-19 and most (80%) developed ALI during hospitalization (median of seven days from admission). The median duration between COVID-19 and ALI symptom onset was 14.5 days (IQR, 11-15). The majority (60%) were taking therapeutic anticoagulation at the time of ALI onset which is the standard of care for patients with severe disease. Five (50%) were successfully revascularized (median time of 3.5 days) and the rest underwent amputation. All survived and were discharged improved. Conclusion: ALI can occur in the context of COVID-19 even while a patient is on therapeutic dose anticoagulation and in the absence of traditional risk factors. It is wise to be vigilant of this complication for timely intervention and better treatment outcomes.
RESUMO
Background: There has been a rise in secondary invasive fungal infections reported in COVID-19 patients globally. We report the first published case of COVID-19 associated rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis in Africa in a newly diagnosed diabetic female who presented with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and discuss the prevalence and risk factors of fungal co-infection with the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of mucormycosis in COVID-19. Case Presentation: A 39 years old female patient was admitted to ICU with a diagnosis of severe COVID-19 and newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM) with DKA based on HgbA1c of 13.8% and positive RT-PCR. The patient was treated with dexamethasone in line with evidence in the RECOVERY trial and developed right facial and orbital swelling on her second hospital day. Brain MRI showed characteristic peri-sinonasal invasion with central nervous system (CNS) involvement, features suggestive of invasive fungal infection. Despite all medical and surgical treatments including liposomal amphotericin B and debridement, the patient died within 7 days of symptom onset. Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware of the potential for Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM) as a complication of COVID-19, especially in steroid taking diabetics who develop periorbital swelling and sinusitis. Timely diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment are very critical.
