Mucormycosis in a case of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: “double trouble” (case report)

Abstract

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) in the pediatric age group is a clinical syndrome in children and adolescents which is recognized in association with a high local prevalence of Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). Mucormycosis is a severe form of fungal infection and often affects immunocompromised patients. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality and is characterized by extensive angioinvasion and necrosis of the affected tissue. Currently, this dreaded mucormycosis is rising among COVID-19 pediatric patients during their treatment period or after their discharge from the hospital. It is also called COVID-19- associated mucormycosis (CAM) or black fungus. In the head and neck area, rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis is the most common presentation and a fatal clinical entity associated with COVID-19 infections. There are several cases of mucormycosis reported in cases with COVID-19 infection, but there is limited data available for the development of mucormycosis in MIS-C. Here, we report a case of a nine years old girl who developed mucormycosis while suffering from MIS-C. The patient was brought to our institute with complaints of fever for 3 days associated with redness of the eyes and swelling behind both ears and bilateral conjunctival congestion. Subsequently, she started showing signs of end organ damage in form oliguria and deranged liver function. Her COVID-19 antibody titer was positive and hence was diagnosed as MIS-C. She had prolonged hospitalization during which she started developing black discoloration over the nose. The histopathology report of the lesion was suggestive of mucormycosis. Eventually, the patient died due to multiple organ dysfunction. There is not only an association of mucormycosis in COVID-19- positive patients, but it shows some association with its complications like MIS-C. There is very limited data available for the association of mucormycosis and MIS-C but early diagnosis and intervention play a vital role in the outcome of the patient.