Background: COVID-19 associated mucormycosis (CAM) is an emerging disfiguring and fatal problem, which affects particularly patients with uncontrolled diabetes. The complex relationship between COVID-19 and mucormycosis is still mostly unknown.
Aim of work: The aim of this study is to find the incidence and risk factors of orbital mucormycosis among covid and post covid patients in one year at Ain Shams University Hospitals (ASUH).
Patients and Methods: This descriptive retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic, Ophthalmology Department, Ain Shams University hospitals in the period from 1 January 2021 until 31 December 2021. All the enrolled patients underwent detailed history, ophthalmic examination and imaging.
Results: Our study results revealed ROCM cases in 2021 at ASUH were much higher than the numbers presenting during equivalent intervals before COVID-19 pandemic, and among 92 cases of rhino-orbital mucormycosis within one year, 93.5% was during or within 2 weeks of COVID-19 infection. The rate of these cases varied prospectively with number of new COVID-19 cases in Egypt within the same period. COVID-19, diabetes mellitus, frequent oxygen support and corticosteroid for COVID-19 management use were the dominant predisposing factors for ROCM. Older age >50 years, admission to an ICU, Haematological malignancy and brain involvement were independently associated with a higher risk for death.
Conclusion: Clinicians should be vigilant about the appropriate use of steroids for COVID-19 management and ensure the use of aseptic precautions during oxygen support to minimize risk for mucormycosis following COVID-19 treatment.