Histomorphological study of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients

Background: Mucormycosis is a rapidly progressive angioinvasive fungal infection which has a high rate of mortality and morbidity. Mucormycosis most commonly invades the nose and paranasal sinuses presenting as rhinosinusitis. We noted an upsurge in the number of patients affected with Mucormycosis during Covid-19 infection era. Aim: Our study aims to illustrate the histopathology of Mucormycosis in post-Covid-19 patients and also to study the fungal morphology by utilizing special stains. Materials and Methods: We prospectively analysed the histopathological findings of fungal elements in 260 different histopathological samples of mucormycosis in post-covid-19 patients. The clinical and histopathological findings were noted and tabulated. Statistical Analysis Used: The data collected was tabulated and coded in Microsoft excel. All the data of demographic and clinical characteristics were analysed by descriptive statistics and percentage. Tables and graphs were added wherever applicable. Results: Out of 260 cases analysed, most of the patients presented with periorbital swelling followed by headache and nasal block. Histopathologically, most of the cases showed chronic inflammatory reaction with wide areas of necrosis and granuloma formation. The fungal elements have been appreciated and sensitivity of different stains to appreciate the fungal structures have been compared.