Autopsy approach in diagnosis of Mucormycosis

Abstract

Management of systemic fungal infection has always been a challenging task for medical practitioners. There has been an exponential increase in the number of fungal infections during the COVID-19 pandemic. In India, cases of invasive mucormycosis are being encountered in large numbers. Injudicious use of steroids has been considered as one of the reasons for the rise in mucormycosis cases. Mucormycosis is a difficult diagnosis in its early stages. Most of the times the patients present in advanced disease conditions. There has been considerable mortality in such cases. Forensic pathologists may encounter such cases in their autopsy practice, particularly during COVID-19 pandemic. This article discusses the etiopathogenesis, autopsy features and postmortem diagnostic approach in cases of mucormycosis. © 2022