European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

BACKGROUND - Fungal infections of the central nervous system, especially cerebral
mucormycosis are rare. Usually, it is a secondary opportunistic infection than a primary
infection of the brain. Recently there has been a rise in cerebral mucormycosis in the patients
of COVID 19 due to various factors like impairment of barrier defense mechanisms and use
of immunosuppressive medications like steroids for the treatment of COVID 19. The
following observational study is conducted by the neurosurgery unit of the General surgery
department at Gandhi Medical College Bhopal and its associated hospital.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES –
The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of cerebral involvement of mucormycosis
and the various associated factors in the patients of COVID 19 infection.
MATERIALAND METHODS- This is an observational study conducted by the
neurosurgery unit of the General surgery department of Gandhi medical college and
associated Hamidia hospital Bhopal. Details of 55 patients who were treated in various
departments of this hospital for post-COVID 19 mucormycosis infection with any kind of
cerebral involvement are collected and analysed. The study was undertaken for the duration
of 08 months from March 2021 to October 2021.
KEYWORDS – Post-COVID 19 mucormycosis, cerebral mucormycosis, neurosurgical
aspect of mucormycosis, a cerebral fungal infection.
CONCLUSION - Mucormycosis is a rare opportunistic infection. The patients with COVID
19 infection are found to be more susceptible to this fungal infection because of impairment
of barrier defense mechanism and the use of immunosuppressive medications like steroids
and tocilizumab for the treatment of COVID 19 disease. Most patients who encountered
mucormycosis were diabetic. Being vigilant in high-risk patients for this fungal infection can
improve the quality of patient care and outcome.