Dual Fungal Infections (Aspergillosis and Mucormycosis) in a Diabetic Mellitus Patient Leading to Maxillary Sinusitis as a Post-COVID Manifestation: First Case Report

Acta Medica (Hradec Kralove). 2021;64(4):227-231. doi: 10.14712/18059694.2022.7.

Abstract

Coronavirus infectious disease-19 caused by Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome-coronavirus-2 has emerged to be an emergency global health crisis for more than a year. And, as the disease has spread, a number of new clinical features have been observed in these patients. Immunosuppression caused by this disease results in an exacerbation of pre-existing infections. While corticosteroids are considered a life-saving therapeutic intervention for this pandemic, they have proved to be a double-edged sword and their indiscriminate use has produced some deleterious results. Recently, in the backdrop of this expression, a notable rise in invasive fungal infections has been identified even in the post-remission phase. Mucormycosis, Aspergillosis, and Candidiasis are the three most common opportunistic fungal infections among those observed. COVID-19 patients with diabetes mellitus are already at a higher risk of developing such secondary infections due to impaired immunity. Here we present a rare case report of a 50-year old male diabetic mellitus patient diagnosed with dual fungal infections (Aspergillosis along with Mucormycosis) leading to maxillary sinusitis as a post-COVID manifestation. To our knowledge, this is the first such case reported till date.

Keywords: COVID-19; Maxillary Sinus; aspergillosis; diabetes; mucormycosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillosis* / complications
  • Aspergillosis* / diagnosis
  • Aspergillosis* / therapy
  • COVID-19* / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Maxillary Sinusitis* / complications
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucormycosis* / complications
  • Mucormycosis* / diagnosis
  • Mucormycosis* / therapy
  • Mycoses* / complications
  • SARS-CoV-2