Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mucormycosis associated with COVID-19 has been linked with higher mortality. Patients with risk factors such as immunosuppression, especially transplant recipients, are at heightened risk for these fungal related complications and poor clinical outcomes. Species like Rhizopus, Mucor, Rhizomucor and Lichtheimia are characterized by tissue necrosis, requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment to mitigate associated morbidity. CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old female, kidney transplant recipient, presented with respiratory failure due to SARS-CoV-2. During hospitalization, she developed rapidly progressing facial lesions involving maxillary tissue necrosis. Multiple surgeries were performed, and various microorganisms, including Rhizopus oryzae, were isolated. Effective infection control was achieved through surgical management and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy (ceftolozane/tazobactam and amphotericin B), resulting in lesion improvement without relapse. Patient is alive after 3 years of follow-up with good performance status and renal function. CONCLUSION – KEY TAKEAWAYS: An early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management of mucormycosis, particularly in immunosuppressed patients within the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection, could improve clinical outcomes.