Case series of four secondary mucormycosis infections in COVID-19 patients, the Netherlands, December 2020 to May 2021
Jochem B. Buil, Arthur R. H. van Zanten, Robbert G. Bentvelsen, Tom A. Rijpstra, Abraham Goorhuis, Sanne van der Voort, Linda J. Wammes, Jeroen A Janson, Max Melchers, Moniek Heusinkveld, Willem J. G. Melchers, Ed J. Kuijper, Paul E. Verweij
Abstract
We describe four secondary fungal infections caused by Mucorales species in COVID-19 patients. Three COVID-19 associated mucormycosis (CAM) occurred in ICU, one outside ICU. All were men aged > 50 years, three died. Clinical presentations included pulmonary, rhino-orbital cerebral and disseminated infection. Infections occurred in patients with and without diabetes mellitus. CAM is an emerging disease and our observations underscore the need to be aware of invasive mucormycosis, including in COVID-19 patients without (poorly controlled) diabetes mellitus and outside ICU.