Coronavirus Disease 2019-Associated Cerebral Mucormycosis in an Immunocompetent Child

Abstract

Mucormycosis is a rare opportunistic fungal infection observed in immunocompromised individuals or in those with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been a steep increase in the incidence of mucormycosis among adults. However, the infection is extremely rare in the pediatric population, and its occurrence post-COVID-19 infection has been reported in very few cases. We present a case of cerebral mucormycosis in a 6-year-old immunocompetent girl that was histopathologically confirmed by stereotactic brain biopsy. The fungal infection occurred following asymptomatic COVID-19 infection. This report describes the diagnostic journey and management. It highlights the unusual presentation of cerebral mucormycosis in our case and the role of posaconazole in the successful treatment.

Keywords

cerebral mucormycosis - COVID-19 - child - immunocompetent - liposomal amphotericin B - posaconazole

Author Contributions

D.N., V.V.S., and S.S. contributed to the conception of the work, acquisition, analysis, interpretation of data and the preparation of initial draft of the work. S.G., H.V., and S.A.R. revised it critically and the final version was approved by all.

Declaration of Patient Consent

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form, the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal.

Data Availability

Data are available with the authors. Anonymized data will be shared if ethically indicated.

Publication History

Received: 27 July 2022

Accepted: 21 November 2022

Article published online:
30 December 2022

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