Histopathologically Confirmed Pulmonary Mucormycosis as a Complication of COVID-19: a Case Report from Romania and Insight into Pathology.

COVID-19 has proven to be an independent risk factor for secondary infectious complications. Amongst them, mucormycosis has recently been noticed more frequently than in the past. Caused by molds belonging to the Mucorales order, this is a rare, but potentially fatal infection unless adequately treated. Ear, nose and throat involvement is prevalent with often expansion to the orbit, sinuses or brain. Pulmonary, cutaneous and gastrointestinal infections are also recognized. Classical risk factors for progression to angioinvasive disease include poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, defects in phagocytic function (prolonged neutropenia, glucocorticoid treatment), immunosuppressive therapy associated with transplantation, malignancy, elevated levels of free iron as well as iron chelators (deferoxamine). In addition, immune dysregulation rendered by COVID-19 itself may contribute or solely lead to invasive mold disease. The largest experience comes from India, which has dealt with a challenging epidemic of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM). To our knowledge, no previous studies have reported CAM in Romania. We therefore present a case of severe COVID-19 pneumonia initially complicated by bacterial superinfection and secondary sepsis at admission in an unvaccinated 61-year-old male who presented in our clinic with respiratory failure and digestive symptoms. Although improvement occurred rapidly following antiviral, empiric large spectrum Intraantibiotics and pathogenic medication, unfavorable clinical course ensued later on. Biological and imaging investigations were consistent with pulmonary superinfection in the form of multiple different-sized upper right field opacities, which eventually evolved to form cavities. Differential diagnosis was thoroughly performed. Since unable to sterilize the lung by means of medication alone, the patient underwent major thoracic surgery with removal of the entire right lung. Microscopic study of the damaged tissue was able to determine the presence of broad, aseptate hyphae which morphologically belong to Mucorales. A diagnosis of pulmonary mucormycosis was established and proper antifungal treatment was initiated, with full recovery of the patient.