Rhinocerebral mucormycosis secondary to severe acute pancreatitis and diabetic ketoacidosis: a case report

Rare finding of mucorales sporangia and chlamydospores in tissue

Most elements of filamentous fungi seen in human tissue by pathologists are hyphae, and encountering other elements may interfere with diagnosis. Sporangia and chlamydospores are such elements that have been described in only a few case reports. We present an autopsy case with the extremely rare coexistence of Mucorales sporangia and chlamydospores in the lung. These fungal elements must be recognized and identified accurately because they can easily be mistaken for other fungi, microorganisms, or degenerated tissue structures.

Invasive splenic mucormycosis due to Rhizopus microsporus during chemotherapy for acute monocytic leukemia: a case report and literature review

Mucormycosis is a rare opportunistic fungal infection associated with high mortality that typically occurs in immunocompromised patients. It is difficult to diagnose owing to non-specific clinical manifestations, the serologic index, imaging features, and the limitations of diagnostic methods. The incidence of invasive splenic mucormycosis is extremely rare, with only a few cases documented in the literature. We report a survival case of invasive splenic mucormycosis involving the liver caused by Rhizopus microsporus in a patient during consolidation therapy for acute monocytic leukemia (AML-M5). The patient initially presented with recurrent fever and splenomegaly accompanied by multiple focal hypodensities unresponsive to empiric anti-infective treatment. Splenic mucormycosis was diagnosed by Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography (CEUS) and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). However, surgical intervention carries a high risk due to the progressive involvement of the liver in invasive splenic mucormycosis. Fortunately, monotherapy with amphotericin B was effective, and the patient underwent allo-HSCT. This case aims to emphasize the importance of utilizing mNGS and CEUS for the timely diagnosis of mucormycosis to help clinicians identify splenic mucormycosis and initiate appropriate therapy as soon as possible to improve therapeutic efficacy and prognosis.

Surge of mucormycosis during the COVID-19 pandemic

Patients with respiratory viral infections are more likely to develop co-infections leading to increased fatality. Mucormycosis is an epidemic amidst the COVID-19 pandemic that conveys a 'double threat' to the global health fraternity. Mucormycosis is caused by the Mucorales group of fungi and exhibits acute angioinvasion generally in immunocompromised patients. The most familiar foci of infections are sinuses (39%), lungs (24%), and skin tissues (19%) where the overall dissemination occurs in 23% of cases. The mortality rate in the case of disseminated mucormycosis is found to be 96%. Symptoms are mostly nonspecific and often resemble other common bacterial or fungal infections. Currently, COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM) is being reported from a number of countries such as the USA, Turkey, France, Mexico, Iran, Austria, UK, Brazil, and Italy, while India is the hotspot for this deadly co-infection, accounting for approximately 28,252 cases up to June 8, 2021. It strikes patients within 12-18 days after COVID-19 recovery, and nearly 80% require surgery. Nevertheless, the mortality rate can reach 94% if the diagnosis is delayed or remains untreated. Sometimes COVID-19 is the sole predisposing factor for CAM. Therefore, this study may provide a comprehensive resource for clinicians and researchers dealing with fungal infections, intending to link the potential translational knowledge and prospective therapeutic challenges to counter this opportunistic pathogen.

Successful treatment of rhino-cerebral mucormycosis with dual antifungal therapy and minimal surgical debridement

The authors report the case of a 42-year-old female with history of type I diabetes mellitus and recent episode of diabetic ketoacidosis who presented with symptoms of epistaxis, gastrointestinal upset, hyperglycemia, confusion, and a cough. She was found to have rhino-cerebral mucormycosis with associated multi-focal strokes and a left internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm. Her infection was successfully treated with dual-antifungal therapy consisting of liposomal amphotericin B and isavuconazole, and required only minimal surgical debridement.

COVID-19-Associated Mucormycosis, A New Incident in Recent Time: Is An Emerging Disease in The Near Future Impending?

Mucormycosis (also known as black fungus) is caused by fungi of the Zygomycetes class and is the third most common invasive mycosis after candidiasis and aspergillosis. They colonize a large number of patients without invading them. Systemic glucocorticoids are currently used to treat severe Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). In such patients, opportunistic fungal infections are a problem. Although COVID-19-related pulmonary aspergillosis is becoming more common, mucormycosis is still uncommon. Mucormycosis normally appears 10 to 14 days after being admitted to the hospital. Mucormycosis is a rare but dangerous infection that can make extreme COVID-19 worse. Mucormycosis is more likely to occur in people who have diabetes mellitus and other risk factors. Mucormycosis is most likely exacerbated by concurrent glucocorticoid treatment. To improve outcomes, a high index of suspicion and aggressive management is required. Excessive usage of steroids, monoclonal antibodies, and broad-spectrum antibiotics might cause the formation or worsen of a fungal infection. A high index of suspicion and aggressive management are needed. In patients with COVID-19 infection, physicians should be vigilant of the likelihood of subsequent invasive fungal infections. To enhance results in pulmonary mucormycosis, early diagnosis and treatment are critical. Confirmation of the clinical form necessitates a combination of symptoms that are consistent with tissue invasion histologically. Combining various clinical data and the isolation of the fungus from clinical samples in culture is needed for the probable diagnosis of mucormycosis. The organism that causes mucormycosis is identified using macroscopic and microscopic morphological criteria, carbohydrate assimilation, and the maximum temperature at which they can expand. Mucormycosis must be treated with antifungal medication prescribed by a doctor. It may necessitate surgery in some circumstances, and it can result in the loss of the upper jaw and, in some situations, an eye.