COVID-19 associated pulmonary mucormycosis: A systematic review of published cases with review of literature

BACKGROUND: There is sharp rise in cases of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated mucormycosis worldwide and specially during second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. This systemic review was conducted to characterize pulmonary mucormycosis associated with COVID-19 infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in the electronic database of PubMed and Google Scholar from 1(st) January 2020 to June 5, 2021 using keywords. Details of all the cases that reported pulmonary mucormycosis in people with COVID-19 so far, were retrieved and analyzed. RESULT: Total 9 articles of pulmonary mucormycosis with COVID-19 infection were reported in the database of PubMed and Google Scholar. Only one case till date was reported from India, others are from USA (n-3), Italy (n-2), France (n-1), UK (n-1), and Arizona (n-1). Pooled data from this study showed mucormycosis was predominantly seen in males (8 male, 1 female). The most common comorbidities associated were diabetes (n-3), hematological malignancy, (n-2) and end-stage renal disease (n-2), while 2 cases did not show any associated comorbidity. All the cases were having severe COVID-19 infection and 7 out of 9 patients were in ICU and on mechanical ventilation at the time of diagnosis. None of the cases associated with rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) except 1 patient with sinus involvement. Mortality was found in 7 out of 9 patients. CONCLUSION: There is a need to keep a high index of suspicion in patients with severe COVID-19 infections, diabetic, and received treatment in ICU with ventilator support for early diagnosis and treatment. Although Mucor is less common than Aspergillus infection, it is associated with higher mortality.