A study unraveling the links between diabetes mellitus, COVID -19 and mucormycosis

• Author Details:   
• Trupti Jansari ^*
• Jay Jansari
• Vishwa Gevariya
• Rachna Patel
• Simran Jain

Background: Mucormycosis is a potentially fatal, angio-invasive infection by a fungus, mainly seen in persons with compromised immune system. After the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in mucormycosis cases has been observed. We aimed to study the prevalence and distribution of mucormycosis cases among the post - COVID - 19 patients and to identify their link with patients with diabetes mellitus.

Materials and Methods: This study was retrospectiveand observational in type, which included 35 patients presenting with warning symptoms and signs at a tertiary care centre in Gujarat. All age – groups and both gender cases with a history of COVID - 19 were included. All the data regarding demography, co – morbid condition like diabetes mellitus, clinical examination, routine blood investigations, KOH and lactophenol cotton blue (LPCB) preparations, computed tomography (CT) scan- paranasal sinuses (PNS) and histopathological examinations (HPE) were collected and analyzed.

Results: Out of total of 35 patients highest number (16) of the patients was from age group 51-60 years (45.7%), males were 21 (60%) and females were 14 (40%). 31(88.6%) patients had diabetes mellitus and 04(11.4%) were non – diabetic. KOH and LPCB preparations from 29(82.9%) cases showed presence of fungal hyphae and 6(16.7%) cases were negative. On CT Scan – PNS, 30(85.7%) cases presented with rhino – orbital, 03(8.5%) cases with rhino – orbito – cerebral and 02(5.8%) cases with nasal type mucormycosis. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of mucormycosis.

Conclusion: Mucormycosis is associated with increased mortality rate. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, surgical debridement should be performed as soon as possible along with medical management.