Multimodal surgical and medical treatment for extensive rhinocerebral mucormycosis in an elderly diabetic patient: a case report and literature review

Comprehensive Review on the Virulence Factors and Therapeutic Strategies with the Aid of Artificial Intelligence against Mucormycosis

Mucormycosis, a rare but deadly fungal infection, was an epidemic during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in cases (COVID-19-associated mucormycosis, CAM) is attributed to excessive steroid and antibiotic use, poor hospital hygiene, and crowded settings. Major contributing factors include diabetes and weakened immune systems. The main manifesting forms of CAM─cutaneous, pulmonary, and the deadliest, rhinocerebral─and disseminated infections elevated mortality rates to 85%. Recent focus lies on small-molecule inhibitors due to their advantages over standard treatments like surgery and liposomal amphotericin B (which carry several long-term adverse effects), offering potential central nervous system penetration, diverse targets, and simpler dosing owing to their small size, rendering the ability to traverse the blood-brain barrier via passive diffusion facilitated by the phospholipid membrane. Adaptation and versatility in mucormycosis are facilitated by a multitude of virulence factors, enabling the pathogen to dynamically respond to various environmental stressors. A comprehensive understanding of these virulence mechanisms is imperative for devising effective therapeutic interventions against this highly opportunistic pathogen that thrives in immunocompromised individuals through its angio-invasive nature. Hence, this Review delineates the principal virulence factors of mucormycosis, the mechanisms it employs to persist in challenging host environments, and the current progress in developing small-molecule inhibitors against them.

Retrobulbar Amphotericin B Injection in Curbing the Progression of COVID Associated Rhino-orbital Cerebral Mucormycosis: A Retrospective Case Series

Purpose To assess whether transcutaneous retrobulbar Amphotericin B (TRAMB) injection can halt disease progression and reduce the requirement of exenteration in post-COVID 19 Rhino-orbital cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM)) with limited orbital disease. Methods Retrospective series from a single center included 22 patients with KOH proved post-COVID 19 ROCM with radiographic evidence of limited orbital involvement were evaluated from May 2021 to October 2021. TRAMB was given along with systemic intravenous Amphotericin B injection and sinus debridement. Demographic profile, clinical data, operative notes, blood and radiological investigations were evaluated. The primary outcome was to assess the halt in the progression of orbital disease. The primary outcome measure was to assess the halt of the disease progression and the secondary outcome was improvement in the clinical signs and symptoms. Results The mean age was 50.36 ± 9.72 years and 77.3% were men. The Stagewise distribution was twelve (54.5%) patients in stage 3a, four (18.2%) patients in stage 3b, four (18.2%) in stage 3c, one (4.5%) patient in stage 3d and one (4.5%) had stage 4 disease. Improvement in lid edema and conjunctival chemosis were noticed and it was statistically significant (p value < 0.01), similarly visual acuity and ocular motility showed significant improvements (p value 0.04 and < 0.01 respectively). 1 patient died and 1 patient required exenteration later. Twenty patients showed halting of orbital disease after TRAMB injection. Conclusion TRAMB can be an alternative adjuvant therapeutic option to preserve the globe in patients with limited orbital disease but not at all replacement for exenteration.

A Rare Case of Invasive Mucormycosis in a Diabetic Patient Treated with a Short Course of Dexamethasone

Patient: Female, 74-year-old

Final Diagnosis: Mucormycosis

Symptoms: Altered mental status

Medication:—

Clinical Procedure: Central venous catheterization • debridement

Specialty: Infectious Diseases • General and Internal Medicine • Otolaryngology

Epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of cerebral mucormycosis in diabetic patients: A systematic review of case reports and case series

BACKGROUND

Patients with diabetes are known as an important high-risk group for cerebral mucormycosis (CM).

METHOD

We conducted a structured search using PubMed/MEDLINE to collect both case reports and case series case (ie including at least two patients) onto CM in diabetic patient published between 2000 and March 2020.

RESULTS

Forty-five reports of individual cases and eighteen case series articles were included. India accounted for the largest share of reports with 37.7% and 38.8% of individual cases and case series, respectively. Mortality ranged from 0% to 100% in the case series. The overall mortality in the individual cases was 46.3%, and 64.2% of deaths were reported in patients with ketoacidosis diabetes. Facial swelling (53.3%), headache (44.4%), loss of vision (35.5%) and ophthalmoplegia (35.5%) were the most frequently reported clinical symptoms. In all patients except 4 (91.1%), CM was treated surgically; however, in many cases (42%), despite the use of surgery, death occurred. Amphotericin B deoxycholate (AMB) and lipid-based AMB (LAMB) were used as the first lines of treatment for all patients; however, posaconazole, echinocandins, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and deferasirox were used in combination for a number of patients. Posaconazole has been shown to have positive therapeutic effect; however, posaconazole, LAMB and HBOT are not commonly used in low-income and health-challenged countries.

CONCLUSION

Cerebral mucormycosis is a rapidly progressive infection in diabetic patients and carries immense morbidity despite early diagnosis and treatment. Low-income countries have had the highest number of reports of the disease in recent years, indicating the need to control diabetes in these countries.

A meta-analysis of survival factors in rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis-has anything changed in the past 20 years?

BACKGROUND

Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is an uncommon yet potentially lethal fungal infection. Although most cases originate from developing countries, an ageing population and increased prevalence of chronic illness may mean some clinicians practicing in developed countries will encounter ROCM cases in their careers. Yohai et al published a systematic review of 145 case reports from 1970 to 1993 assessing prognostic factors for patients presenting with ROCM. We present an updated review of the literature and assess whether survival outcomes have changed in the two decades since that seminal paper.

SEARCH STRATEGY

An extensive Medline literature search was performed for case reports published between 1994 and 2015.

RESULTS

In total, 210 published cases were identified from the literature review, of which 175 patients from 140 papers were included in this review. Fifty-five were female, with an overall mean age of 43 years. Overall survival rate was 59.5%, which was not significantly better than the previous series reported (60%) reported by Yohai et al. Survival rates in patients with chronic renal disease had improved, from 19% to 52%, and in patients with leukaemia (from 13% to 50%). Facial necrosis and hemiplegia remained poor prognostic indicators (33% and 39% survival rates, respectively). Early commencement of medical treatment related to better survival outcomes (61% if commenced within first 12 days of presentation, compared to 33% if after 13 days). Timing of surgery had less of an effect on overall survival. However, in 28 cases that did not receive any surgical treatment, survival was only 21%.

CONCLUSIONS

Although overall survival rates have not improved, survival in patients with renal disease were better, potentially due to the introduction of liposomal amphotericin B which is less nephrotoxic. Prompt recognition of ROCM, reversal of predisposing co-morbidities and aggressive medical treatment remain the cornerstone of managing this highly aggressive disease.

Acute orbital apex syndrome and rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis

Purpose

To demonstrate the successful clinical identification and management of rhino-orbital mucormycosis, a fungal infection with a high mortality rate.

Patients and methods

A diabetic male patient with a headache and orbital apex syndrome in the right eye was examined using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for a possible fungal infection. Endoscopic surgical resection was performed and a pathology sample was taken. Specimens were prepared with Gömöri methenamine silver and hematoxylin and eosin staining. The patient was treated with liposomal amphotericin B 400 mg daily, followed by posaconazole 400 mg twice daily.

Results

CT and MRI revealed a mass of the right sphenoid spreading into the orbit, indicative of a fungal infection. The biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of mucormycosis. Complete recovery of eyelid and oculomotor function was achieved after 10 months of treatment, although the patient continues to suffer from irreversible blindness in the right eye due to optic nerve atrophy. He has been without signs or symptoms of recurrence.

Conclusion

Patients with rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis need extensive surgical and medical treatment to maximize outcomes. Success requires multidisciplinary management.