Clinical Edge Journal Scan

Watch for mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients


 

Key clinical point: Mucormycosis cases surged after the appearance of COVID-19, but adjunct surgery in COVID-19 patients with mucormycosis improved clinical outcomes.

Major finding: The mortality rate among 99 COVID-19 patients with mucormycosis was 34%. However, 81% of the patients underwent adjunct surgery, which significantly improved outcomes ( P < 0.001).

Study details: The data come from 30 case series and case reports totaling 99 patients with COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM). Glucocorticoids, a known risk factor for CAM, were used in 85% of the patients, and the average time from COVID-19 diagnosis to CAM diagnosis was 15 days.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Pal R et al. Mycoses. 2021 Jun 16. doi: 10.1111/myc.13338.

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