Mucormycosis: A Deadly Complication of COVID-19 and Diabetes

Abstract

Mucormycosis is a fungal infection, caused by fungi of the order Mucorales of subphylum Mucoromycotina. It is an aggressive, life-threatening infection that is common in immunocompromised patients and diabetics. COVID-19 infection and its treatment renders the patient severely immunocompromised and can increase the risk of such secondary infections. Here, we present a case of a 62-year-old man, a known case of diabetes who was recently diagnosed as COVID-19 positive. He then complained of left eye swelling and pain, with chemosis while being on steroids and remdesivir for the COVID-19 pneumonia. He was later diagnosed with orbital cellulitis, with a possible fungal infection which was later confirmed microbiologically. The patient was started on liposomal amphotericin B and high-grade antibiotics for orbital cellulitis. The patient later succumbed to sepsis-related complications. We conclude that prompt identification of symptoms and early initiation of therapy is necessary to have a better outcome in such cases, also this case can help us be more vigilant in diabetic patients with COVID-19, in whom therapeutic agents like steroids and monoclonal antibodies should be given at lowest recommended doses.