COVID-19-associated mucormycosis in ophthalmological practice in the Volgograd region

Abstract

The problem of fungal infections in the era of COVID-19 has acquired special significance. This infection, directly or indirectly, through the use of glucocorticoids and antibiotics in its treatment, as well as poorer self-management of chronic diseases, has led to a wide spread of risk factors for fungal diseases among people who have had a novel coronavirus infection. The article presents two cases of COVID-19-associated mycosis, more related to mucormycosis, which were diagnosed by ophthalmologists in the Volgograd region. In the first case, the severe course of rhino-orbito-cerebral form of mucormycosis required a number of surgical interventions and prolonged treatment in the intensive care unit. In the second case, the patient asked for help without signs of aggravation of the general condition, but with irreversible local manifestations. In both cases, the eyeball was removed. Morphological examination revealed aseptal ribbon hyphae of different diameters, branching mainly at right angles, more typical for fungi of the Mucorales family. Due to the severe consequences of the disease, clinicians, including ophthalmologists, need to be especially alertness in patients with the described symptoms and risk factors in the post-COVID period.