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. 2024 Jun;16(3):293-298.
doi: 10.18502/ijm.v16i3.15759.

Secondary bacterial infections in post-COVID-19 mucormycosis cases: a retrospective study at Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, March 2020-April 2021

Mohsen Meidani  1 , Sepideh Zahak Miandoab  1 , Amir Salami  2 , Sajedeh Jadidi  3 , Marjan Sohrabi  1 , Parvaneh Ebrahimi Alavijeh  1 , Sara Ghaderkhani  1 , Hamid Emadi Koochak  1 , Arezoo Salami Khaneshan  1
Affiliations

Secondary bacterial infections in post-COVID-19 mucormycosis cases: a retrospective study at Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, March 2020-April 2021

Mohsen Meidani et al. Iran J Microbiol. 2024 Jun.

Abstract

Background and objectives: To explore the prevalence and characteristics of secondary bacterial infections among patients suffering from mucormycosis following COVID-19 infection.

Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, retrospective analysis from March 2020 to April 2022 at Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex in Tehran. The study included patients with histopathologically confirmed mucormycosis and documented secondary bacterial infections. We extracted and analyzed data from hospital records using SPSS software, version 26.

Results: The study comprised 27 patients, with a predominance of females (70.4%) and an average age of 56 years. The majority of these patients (63%) had pre-existing diabetes mellitus. The severity of their COVID-19 infections varied. Treatment regimens included immunosuppressive drugs and antibiotics. Rhinocerebral mucormycosis was the most common form observed. The predominant secondary infections involved the urinary tract, respiratory system, bloodstream (bacteremia), and soft tissues, with resistant strains of Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae being the most frequently identified microorganisms. Notably, cases of bacteremia and pneumonia exhibited a higher mortality rate. Ultimately, 55.6% of patients were discharged, while 44.4% succumbed to their infections.

Conclusion: Patients recovering from COVID-19 with mucormycosis are significantly susceptible to secondary bacterial infections, particularly those with diabetes mellitus or those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy. Such infections compound the morbidity and mortality risks in this vulnerable patient cohort.

Keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii; Bacterial infection; COVID-19; Escherichia coli; Klebsiella pneumonia; Mucormycosis.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Prevalence of complications of the disease in patients with secondary infection
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
The prevalence type of mucormycosis post COVID-19 patients
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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