COVID-19-Associated Mucormycosis Mimicking Odontogenic Pain: A Report of Three Cases

TL;DR

This paper reports three cases of a rare fungal infection linked to COVID-19 that initially appeared as tooth pain, highlighting the importance of timely diagnosis.

Contribution

The novelty lies in describing mucormycosis cases in COVID-19 patients presenting with odontogenic-like symptoms, emphasizing diagnostic challenges.

Findings

Three cases of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients presented with symptoms resembling dental pain.

The increased use of corticosteroids in treating COVID-19 may contribute to the rise in mucormycosis cases.

Delayed diagnosis of mucormycosis can lead to severe outcomes due to rapid tissue invasion.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to present three cases of COVID-19-related mucormycosis mimicking endodontic pain and to discuss the relevant dental and medical literature for this potential life-threatening disease.

Mucormycosis (previously called zygomycosis) is a rare but serious infection caused by a group of fungi called mucormycetes. Mucormycosis mainly affects people who are medically compromised and have systemic health conditions or take drugs that lower their immune response. There has been an increase in case reports/series of mucormycosis in individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. This is likely attributable to the high doses and prolonged use of corticosteroids in the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. This increase in the prevalence of the condition is of importance, primarily because the fatality rate of patients with mucormycosis is high. Moreover, rapid growth and dissemination into soft tissue and bone with angioinvasion of the fungus are common, and delays in diagnosis can be fatal. This report describes three cases of mucormycosis that were associated with COVID-19 and presented with symptoms that mimicked odontogenic pain.

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