SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Mucormycosis in Covid-19: A Systematic Review of Literature

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This poster presents a systematic review of published case reports and case series on mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients through June 21, 2021. The authors identified 115 cases of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis.<br /><br />Key findings show that diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbidity (77.1%), with an average HbA1c of 10.1%, suggesting poor glycemic control. Steroid exposure was extremely common: 91.9% of patients received steroids, and 55.2% specifically received dexamethasone for COVID-19 treatment. Tocilizumab use was reported in 11.5% of cases. The average time between COVID-19 symptom onset or diagnosis and mucormycosis was about 16 days.<br /><br />Mucormycosis most often affected the sinuses (79.4%), especially the maxillary, ethmoid, and sphenoid sinuses. The orbit was involved in 56.7% of cases, and lung involvement occurred in 11.3%. Common presenting symptoms included orbital symptoms, visual disturbances, facial or peri-orbital pain, nasal discharge/crusting, headache, and facial swelling. Serious complications such as cavernous sinus involvement, cerebral infarcts/abscesses/edema, and optic nerve involvement were also reported.<br /><br />Outcomes were poor: among the 76 patients with available outcome data, 37 died, corresponding to a mortality rate of 48.7%.<br /><br />The review concludes that uncontrolled diabetes and widespread steroid use appear to be major risk factors. It emphasizes avoiding indiscriminate steroid use in COVID-19 patients and maintaining strict blood sugar control in diabetic patients. The authors also call for further studies to clarify whether SARS-CoV-2 contributes directly to immune dysfunction and mucormycosis risk.

Asset Subtitle

Shivaraj Nagalli

Meta Tag

Author List Nidhi Kikkeri, Shivaraj Nagalli

Category Research

Concept COVID-19

Concept Mucormycosis

Concept Diabetes Mellitus

Concept Corticosteroid Exposure

Concept Mortality

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Brookwood Baptist Health

Presenting Author Shivaraj Nagalli

Track Outcomes Research

Keywords

COVID-19-associated mucormycosis

systematic review

diabetes mellitus

steroid exposure

dexamethasone

tocilizumab

sinus involvement

orbital involvement

mortality rate

poor glycemic control

COVID-19

Mucormycosis

Diabetes Mellitus

Corticosteroid Exposure

Mortality