Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19-Associated Mucormycosis

Abstract

Abstract Purpose of review The present article will describe the unique factors present in COVID-19 patients that predispose these individuals to develop mucormycosis with emphasis placed on the prevention and treatment of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM). Recent findings Viral specific factors, pre-existing diabetes mellitus, and COVID-19 treatments combine to facilitate the development of mucormycosis. There appears to be a gross overutilization of steroid and antibiotic therapy among COVID-19 patients. Appropriate stewardship of antibiotic and steroid therapy in conjunction with tight glucose control may prevent the development of CAM and facilitate effective treatment with pharmacologic and surgical therapy. Appropriate treatment for CAM has been extrapolated from traditional mucormycosis therapies, and high-level, empiric evidence regarding the efficacy of CAM-specific treatments does not exist. Summary Cellular impacts of COVID-19, poor diabetic management, and overuse of antibiotics and corticosteroids likely combine and increase the risk of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients. Minimizing these risk factors should curb the development of CAM and facilitate the treatment of CAM. Current treatment of CAM has been borrowed from traditional mucormycosis therapy. Future prospective studies are needed to begin developing CAM-specific treatment regimens.