Otitis with Aspergillus niger in a patient with SARS-CoV-2 and multiple comorbidities

Abstract

Introduction. COVID-19 is associated with a significant incidence of bacterial and fungal superinfections and with the exacerbation of pre-existing infections, representing a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Case presentation. A 64-year-old woman, confirmed with COVID-19 by the SARS-CoV-2 antigen test, is hospitalized accusing fatigue, nausea, watery stools, cough and vertigo started 10 days ago, aggravated 4 days before the presentation. It also reports recurrent episodes of otalgia and otorrheic pluriantibiotic treatment in the last 2 months. From the personal pathological antecedents we remember: hypothyroidism, dyslipidemia, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and secondary pulmonary thromboembolism, in chronic anticoagulant treatment. Pathological clinical signs at admission: bilateral basal crackling rales. Biologically, inflammatory syndrome is detected, and radiologically, interstitial-alveolar infiltrates in the lower lung fields. On day 3 of hospitalization, the patient shows purulent secretion in the right external auditory canal and the ENT consultation confirms chronic suppurative otitis media in acute onset. Bacteriological examination of otic secretion reveals Aspergillus niger. Antiviral treatment with Remdesivir is initiated, antibiotic therapy initiated at home with Azithromycin is continued for one day, then escalated to Ceftriaxone i.v. (in the context of clinical-paraclinical aggravation), systemic corticotherapy, anticoagulation with Dalteparin in the prophylactic regime of DVT, systemic treatment with Voriconazole p.o. (according to the antifungal program) and topical (local) with a slow favorable evolution. Conclusions. The association of COVID-19 with otitis with Aspergillus is a rare and particular clinical picture.