Disseminated mucormycosis in a patient with severe COVID-19 on venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A case report

BACKGROUND: Since the global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there have been several reports of mucormycosis as a secondary complication. However, the disseminated type of mucormycosis is extremely rare. CASE: A 58-year-old male patient with COVID-19 started receiving venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation because of severe respiratory failure. During hospitalization, intra-abdominal hemorrhage occurred and an emergency laparotomy was performed. Subsequently, the patient suffered septic shock, and part of the small intestines and the abdominal wall became necrotic. Finally, the patient died. At autopsy, he was diagnosed with disseminated mucormycosis. CONCLUSION: Disseminated mucormycosis should be considered in patients with COVID-19 with refractory sepsis unresponsive to broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy.