COVID-19 Associated Mucormycosis with Newly Diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus in Young Males - A Tertiary Care Experience.

Patients with a history of or active COVID-19 infection are predisposed to the development of opportunist bacterial and fungal infections. A rising incidence of a rare occurring fungal infection earlier, called mucormycosis, has been reported in abundance across the globe since March 2021, especially in India just as the second wave of COVID-19 began, caused by the trifecta of hyperglycemia (new-onset or exacerbation of pre-existing diabetes), oxygen therapy (invasive or noninvasive ventilation), and prolonged intake of steroids.  The present study aimed at assessing the prevalence of post-COVID mucormycosis in males of younger age group and spread of rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM).  A case-control study was performed over a period of 3 months among 60 male patients with confirmed diagnosis of mucormycosis. Individuals < 40 years old were included in the case group (  = 30), while those > 40 years old were included as controls (  = 30). Disease spread was assessed in three types of ROCM, that is, rhinomaxillary, rhino-orbital, and rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis.  In the control group, the mean age was 48.47 years old, the mean HbA1c was 10.62 ± 1.88%, with most of them suffering from rhino-orbital mucormycosis. In the case group, the mean age was 31.57 years old, with a mean HbA1c of 10.11 ± 2.46%, and most patients had rhinomaxillary mucormycosis. The duration of steroid intake and mode of oxygen therapy were found to be significant in the severity of ROCM.  Rising cases of post-COVID mucormycosis have brought to light the fatal consequences of prolonged use of steroids and oxygen therapy towards the development and spread of ROCM among young and middle-aged males.