Comparative Evaluation of COVID-19 Associated Mucormycosis (CAM) and Non-COVID-19-associated Mucormycosis (non-CAM)

• Published in: Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan Vol. 33; no. 2; pp. 153 - 157
• Main Authors: Oruc, Ebru, Gulen, Tugba Arslan, Turunc, Tuba, Ekici, Nur Yucel, Unal, Nevzat
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pakistan 01.02.2023
• Subjects: Antifungal Agents - therapeutic use; COVID-19; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Humans; Mucormycosis - diagnosis; Mucormycosis - epidemiology; Pandemics
• ISSN: 1022-386X; 1681-7168
• DOI: 10.29271/jcpsp.2023.02.153

To compare COVID-19 associated mucormycosis cases (CAM) with non-COVID-19 associated mucormycosis (non-CAM) cases followed as in-patients. Observational Study. Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Health Sciences University (HSU), Adana, Turkey, between January 2018 and March 2022. Patients with a diagnosis of mucormycosis (proven and probable) were dichotomised as COVID-19 associated mucormycosis and non-COVID-19 associated mucormycosis cases. Both groups were compared for underlying malignancy, chemotherapy, antifungal therapy related side effects and overall survival. Of the 35 cases enrolled in the study, 17 (48.6%) had CAM and 18 (51.4%) had non-CAM. A statistically significant difference was detected between non-CAM and CAM cases in terms of haematological malignancy, receiving chemotherapy, and antifungal therapy-related side effects (p=0.019, p=0.019, and p=0.027 respectively). Steroid use was found as a risk factor for the diabetic CAM cases (p<0.0001). The difference between the CAM and non-CAM cases in terms of overall survival was not statistically significant (p=0.088). Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing number of critical patients, treatment of COVID-19 should be performed cautiously in patients who have the risk of developing CAM, particularly those with diabetes and immunosuppression (haematologic malignancy, receiving steroid or chemotherapy, etc.) and these patients should be monitored closely. Mucormycosis, COVID-19, Mucormycosis associated with COVID-19, Diabetes mellitus, Turkey.