Isolated cerebral mucormycosis of the basal ganglia

COVID-19-Associated Rhino-Orbital Mucormycosis in a Tertiary Health Care Center in Odisha, India

Background Mucormycosis is an opportunistic infection that mainly affects immunocompromised individuals, including those with uncontrolled diabetes, malignancies, or those who have exposure to high-dose corticosteroids for a long time. Western Odisha, India, witnessed a significant rise in post-COVID-19 rhino-orbital mucormycosis (ROM), which created a need for comprehensive research on post-COVID-19 ROM. Objective This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of post-COVID-19 ROM in a tertiary care hospital in Western Odisha, India, with the objective of understanding ROM as a nationally notifiable disease. Subjects and methods A prospective hospital-based study was conducted. Mucormycosis cases were reported within the period, from May 17, 2021, to July 31, 2021, including all post-COVID-19 patients who exhibited clinical manifestations of mucormycosis. Patients with histopathologically negative reports of mucormycosis were excluded. Results Of the 35 included, 25 were diagnosed with ROM. The age group of 46-50 years showed a predominance (n=6), with a mean age of 50.53 years. The male-to-female ratio was 2:1. Specifically, 88% of the patients included had diabetes mellitus, 8% had chronic kidney diseases, 8% had sepsis, and 4% had hypertension. ROM was the predominant manifestation (60%, n=15), with the majority presenting with orbital cellulitis (80%), followed by unilateral orbital apex syndrome (12%), bilateral orbital apex syndrome (4%), ophthalmic vein involvement (4%), and osteomyelitis of the maxillary sinus (4%). Irrigation of the wound was performed, and all 25 ROM patients received IV liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB). Conclusion Post-COVID-19 status with elevated blood sugar levels was a major risk factor for ROM. Early diagnosis, debridement, L-AMB, retrobulbar AMB deoxycholate, and exenteration are the possible solutions.

Isolated cerebral mucormycosis: A case discussion

We report a case of a 32-year-old male with a history of type 1 diabetes, inhaled drug use, and alcohol use disorder, who presented with encephalopathy, holocranial headaches, neck pain, confusion, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. The patient initially presented at a rural community hospital with a fever and was found to be in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). He was also hemodynamically stable but stuporous, prompting intubation to protect his airway. Despite initial treatment measures, his neurological condition worsened and he remained ventilator-dependent. Key findings include a high glucose level, presence of ketones, and evidence of drug use. Blood cultures showed no growth, but his febrile state persisted. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed mild pleocytosis, hyperglycorrhachia but normal protein, with no growth. Neuroimaging showed right hemispheric slowing on EEG and diffusion restriction in the right frontal lobe on MRI. The patient's neurological status worsened on the second day of admission, manifesting as sluggish pupillary reflexes, right third nerve palsy, and decerebrate posturing. Emergent MRI suggested cerebral edema, leading to initiation of hypertonic saline. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges and critical management considerations in a patient with multiple comorbidities presenting with unexplained neurological deterioration, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive and timely approach to diagnosis and treatment.

Mucormycosis: An opportunistic pathogen during COVID-19

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) still remains on an upsurge trend. The second wave of this disease has led to panic in many countries, including India and some parts of the world suffering from the third wave. As there are no proper treatment options or remedies available for this deadly infection, supportive care equipment's such as oxygen cylinders, ventilators and heavy use of steroids play a vital role in the management of COVID-19. In the midst of this pandemic, the COVID-19 patients are acquiring secondary infections such as mucormycosis also known as black fungus disease. Mucormycosis is a serious, but rare opportunistic fungal infection that spreads rapidly, and hence prompt diagnosis and treatment are necessary to avoid high rate of mortality and morbidity rates. Mucormycosis is caused by the inhalation of its filamentous (hyphal form) fungi especially in the patients who are immunosuppressed. Recent studies have documented alarming number of COVID-19 patients with mucormycosis infection. Most of these patients had diabetes and were administered steroids for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and were consequently more prone to mucormycosis. Hence, the present review emphasizes mucormycosis and its related conditions, its mechanism in normal and COVID-19 affected individuals, influencing factors and challenges to overcome this black mold infection. Early identification and further investigation of this fungus will significantly reduce the severity of the disease and mortality rate in COVID-19 affected patients.

Neuroinfectious Disease Emergencies

Neuroinfectious diseases can affect immunocompetent and immunosuppressed individuals and cause a variety of emergencies including meningitis, encephalitis, and abscess. Neurologic infections are frequently complicated by secondary injuries that also present emergently such as cerebrovascular disease, acute obstructive hydrocephalus, and seizure. In most cases, timely recognition and early treatment of infection can improve the morbidity and mortality of infectious neurologic emergencies.

Isolated cerebral mucormycosis masquerading as a tumor in an immunocompetent patient

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fungal disease that commonly presents as cutaneous or rhinocerebral infections associated with immunocompromised states. It may exceptionally present as isolated involvement of the brain with a varied clinical presentation, which may be difficult to diagnose early, leading to increased mortality. Herein, we report the case of a 42-year-old immunocompetent female with left-sided limb weakness and a history of recurrent vomiting and headache for the last two years. Clinically, glioma was suspected, but histopathological examination revealed a few broad aseptate fungal hyphae. As no other organ was involved, the diagnosis of isolated cerebral mucormycosis was rendered. Reporting this case, we show an unusual presentation of a central nervous system mucormycosis masquerading a tumor in an immunocompetent patient. The case also highlights the importance of a careful histopathological examination to avoid missing the presence of occasional fungal hyphae. Ideally, recognition of fungal hyphae in the brain, during intraoperative consultation, can prompt brain tissue culture for definitive diagnosis and early empirical antifungal therapy, which may prove life-saving.

A closer look at pathogenesis of cerebral mucormycosis in diabetic condition: A mini review

Patients with diabetes are considered a high-risk group involved with cerebral mucormycosis (CM). Due to the potential of Mucorales to invade sinuses and its rapid progression into orbit and retro-orbital areas and even brain, in most cases, CM is fatal in patients with diabetes. In the last few decades, mucormycosis and background conditions responsible for the development of its infections have received a great deal of attention. Dysfunction of innate and adaptive immune system, the increased amount of available nutrition, expression of host factors, and free iron level in plasma in diabetic ketoacidosis are among the topics that have been mostly taken into account so far. Therefore, it is important to clarify the molecular mechanisms that let the Mucorales to involve the patients with diabetes, which even at early stages of diagnosis and treatment, there is minimum chance to control the disease.

The Postmortem Features of Mucormycosis

Mucormycosis is a rare and severe invasive fungal infection caused by ubiquitous fungi of the order Mucorales. Infection often occurs in immunocompromised hosts and includes cutaneous, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, rhinocerebral, and disseminated forms of disease. Although the clinical characteristics of mucormycosis are well established, infection can be difficult to diagnose antemortem, resulting in frequent postmortem diagnoses. Despite this, the gross appearance of mucormycosis at autopsy has not been well described. In the present report we illustrate the gross and histologic findings in four autopsy cases of mucormycosis, including one case of pulmonary disease and three cases of disseminated mucormycosis with cerebral, pulmonary, hepatic, renal, and gastrointestinal involvement. In all cases autopsy examination demonstrated characteristic hemorrhagic infarcts with a targetoid appearance in the affected organs. These findings are secondary to fungal angioinvasion with subsequent thrombosis and tissue necrosis. Mucormycosis should be suspected at autopsy when these characteristic infarcts are identified within the proper clinical context, and a high suspicion for atypical infections should be maintained postmortem in immunosuppressed patients.

Isolated Cerebral Mucormycosis in Immunocompetent Adults who Inject Drugs: Case Reports and Systematic Review of the Literature

Background

Mucormycosis involves life-threatening rapidly progressive angioinvasion with infiltration across tissue planes, resulting in necrosis and thrombosis, most commonly seen in the setting of immunocompromised states. We describe 2 cases of isolated cerebral mucormycosis in immunocompetent adults and describe this syndrome in detail in the context of a systemic literature review.

Methods

Using the criteria (1) isolated cerebral disease, (2) mucormycosis (by polymerase chain reaction, culture, or pathology), and (3) affected an immunocompetent individual, we identified 53 additional cases from 1969 to 2020.

Results

Of these 55 cases, ~60% occurred in men, >70% were in patients under age 35, 92% were associated with intravenous drug use, and >85% had infection centered in the basal ganglia. Many presented with cranial nerve deficits, headache, focal weakness, or altered mental status.

Conclusions

No patient survived without amphotericin, and steroid administration was associated with worse outcomes. Given the current opioid crisis, this syndrome may be seen more frequently.

Epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of cerebral mucormycosis in diabetic patients: A systematic review of case reports and case series

BACKGROUND

Patients with diabetes are known as an important high-risk group for cerebral mucormycosis (CM).

METHOD

We conducted a structured search using PubMed/MEDLINE to collect both case reports and case series case (ie including at least two patients) onto CM in diabetic patient published between 2000 and March 2020.

RESULTS

Forty-five reports of individual cases and eighteen case series articles were included. India accounted for the largest share of reports with 37.7% and 38.8% of individual cases and case series, respectively. Mortality ranged from 0% to 100% in the case series. The overall mortality in the individual cases was 46.3%, and 64.2% of deaths were reported in patients with ketoacidosis diabetes. Facial swelling (53.3%), headache (44.4%), loss of vision (35.5%) and ophthalmoplegia (35.5%) were the most frequently reported clinical symptoms. In all patients except 4 (91.1%), CM was treated surgically; however, in many cases (42%), despite the use of surgery, death occurred. Amphotericin B deoxycholate (AMB) and lipid-based AMB (LAMB) were used as the first lines of treatment for all patients; however, posaconazole, echinocandins, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and deferasirox were used in combination for a number of patients. Posaconazole has been shown to have positive therapeutic effect; however, posaconazole, LAMB and HBOT are not commonly used in low-income and health-challenged countries.

CONCLUSION

Cerebral mucormycosis is a rapidly progressive infection in diabetic patients and carries immense morbidity despite early diagnosis and treatment. Low-income countries have had the highest number of reports of the disease in recent years, indicating the need to control diabetes in these countries.

Fatal and Rapid Progressive Isolated Cerebral Mucormycosis Involving the Bilateral Basal Ganglia: A Case Report

Isolated cerebral mucormycosis is a clinical type of mucormycosis that is estimated to account for 8% of all mucormycosis cases. The clinical symptoms of isolated cerebral mucormycosis are elusive, and thus conventional techniques often lake sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, cultures are often negative, even when direct microscopy examination is positive. Although histopathology will probably remain the gold standard for the diagnosis of mucormycosis, obtaining a biopsy specimen is not always feasible in most vulnerable populations. Thus, molecular approaches are currently used as an advantageous assistant examination method to improve the early identification of the causative agent and subsequently guide therapy to improve the prognosis of patients. Here, we report a case of isolated cerebral mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus microspores in a healthy young adult that was identified using next-generation sequencing technology.

Mucormycosis Leading to Cerebral Edema and Cerebellar Tonsillar Herniation after Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION

Mucormycosis following hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) carries a very high mortality rate. Pulmonary mucormycosis often leads to systemic dissemination and eventual death. It is imperative for transplant providers to have a high level of suspicion for mucormycosis and initiate early treatment. Here, we present a 64-year-old woman who died of disseminated mucormycosis 13 days following her allogeneic HSCT.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 64-year-old female with a history of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) presented for allogeneic HSCT and passed away from intracerebral hemorrhage secondary to mucormycosis infection 13 days following her transplant. On autopsy, it was found she had angioinvasive mucormycosis in her frontal lobe leading to cerebral edema which eventually led to tonsillar herniation and brainstem infarction. Her lungs were the likely source of infectious dissemination.

DISCUSSION

This case represents an unusual course of events following HSCT in that no other published case shows tonsillar herniation resulting from mucormycosis-related intracerebral swelling. We also report this case because it is believed mucormycosis in HSCT patients is underreported. Additionally, our case highlights the importance of increased vigilance for mucormycosis in patients with prolonged neutropenia prior to HSCT and the potential link of voriconazole prophylaxis and increased risk for mucormycosis.

Mucormycosis of the Central Nervous System

Mucormycosis involves the central nervous system by direct extension from infected paranasal sinuses or hematogenous dissemination from the lungs. Incidence rates of this rare disease seem to be rising, with a shift from the rhino-orbital-cerebral syndrome typical of patients with diabetes mellitus and ketoacidosis, to disseminated disease in patients with hematological malignancies. We present our current understanding of the pathobiology, clinical features, and diagnostic and treatment strategies of cerebral mucormycosis. Despite advances in imaging and the availability of novel drugs, cerebral mucormycosis continues to be associated with high rates of death and disability. Emerging molecular diagnostics, advances in experimental systems and the establishment of large patient registries are key components of ongoing efforts to provide a timely diagnosis and effective treatment to patients with cerebral mucormycosis.

Isolated Intraventricular Chronic Mucormycosis in an Immunocompetent Infant: A Rare Case with Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Mucormycosis of the central nervous system is an uncommon infection caused by saprophytic or parasitic fungi of the subphylum Mucormycotina and order Mucorales viz. Rhizopus, Mucor, and Rhizomucor. Isolated, chronic involvement of the central nervous system is a rare occurrence. To the best of our knowledge, isolated chronic ventricular involvement in an infant has not been reported previously. Isolated intracerebral mucormycosis is a disease of the immunocompromised patient, and to date only 6 cases have been reported in immunocompetent patients, including 2 pediatric cases.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We present the case of an immunocompetent infant presenting with features of increased intracranial tension. He underwent cerebrospinal fluid diversion and was found to harbor mucormycosis on histopathologic examination of intraventricular debris. We also present a brief review of the relevant literature.

CONCLUSIONS

Although mucormycosis is an acute fulminant infection, chronic isolated cerebral cases are known in the immunocompetent patient. Patients also may present with isolated hydrocephalus, and hence fungal infection must be ruled out in all, especially if a shunt is warranted.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Isolated Cerebral Mucormycosis: Patient-Level Data Meta-Analysis and Mayo Clinic Experience

BACKGROUND

Isolated cerebral mucormycosis is a rare and serious infection associated with intravenous drug abuse.

METHODS

We performed a comprehensive meta-analysis of cases reported in studies and have included an unreported case from our institution. We searched PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Databases, and our institution's electronic medical health records from inception through March 31, 2018. The cases were considered isolated (only affecting the cerebrum, cerebellum, or brainstem) if the absence of other primary sources of infection had been documented. Continuous variables were summarized using the median and interquartile range and categorical variables using frequencies and proportions. The relationships between variables were tested using the Wilcoxon rank sum and Pearson χ² tests.

RESULTS

A total of 130 studies (141 patients) met the eligibility requirements and were screened; 68 patients were included. The median age was 28 years (interquartile range, 24-38); 57% were men. Most patients had a history of intravenous drug abuse (82%), and 20% had positive human immunodeficiency virus findings. The lesion location was mostly supratentorial (91%), especially in the basal ganglia (71.2%). The cultures were positive in 38%, with Rhizopus the most common organism (59%). The mortality rate was 65%. The survivors were significantly more likely to have received amphotericin B (92% vs. 43%; P < 0.001) or to have undergone stereotactic aspiration (58% vs. 25%; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Isolated cerebral mucormycosis has a pooled mortality rate of 65%. The presence of lesions in the basal ganglia, rapidly progressive symptoms, and a history of intravenous drug abuse should raise suspicion for the early initiation of amphotericin B and stereotactic aspiration.

Affinity of Mucormycosis for Basal Ganglia in Intravenous Drug Users: Case Illustration and Review of Literature

Central nervous system mucormycosis is an aggressive fungal infection often ending in fatality. The usual circumstance is an immunocompromised individual presenting with rapidly progressive rhinocerebral involvement. An extremely rare variant of central nervous system mucormycosis isolated to the basal ganglia in an immunocompetent intravenous drug user is detailed in this manuscript. The patient was aggressively treated with aspiration of the fungal abscess and long-term intravenous antifungal agents.

Successful Management of a Unique Condition of Isolated Intracranial Mucormycosis in an Immunocompetent Child

This report describes a unique case of isolated intracranial mucormycosis of a slowly progressive nature in a healthy immunocompetent child. A 4-year-old girl with a clear medical and surgical history presented with complaints of right side facial asymmetry and unsteady gait for a period of 10 months. Clinical and radiographic investigations revealed right-sided lower motor neuron facial palsy caused by an infiltrative lesion on the right cerebellopontine angle. Initial surgical debulking was performed, a biopsy was sent for histopathological examination, and a course of prophylactic antibiotic and antifungal drugs was prescribed. The pathological report confirmed the mucormycosis fungal infection, and intravenous amphotericin B was administered for 3 weeks. One month after admission, the patient left the hospital with complete recovery. Follow-ups after 4, 8 and 12 weeks revealed no sensory or motor neurological deficits. In conclusion, this is a unique case of mucormycosis with regard to the nature and location of the infection, along with the host being a healthy child. Initial surgical exploration is a very critical step in the early diagnosis and treatment of such rare conditions.