Overview and outcome of mucormycosis among children with cancer: Report from the Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt

Abstract

Summary Mucormycosis represents a real challenge in immunocompromised patients. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, treatment outcome and infection‐related mortality in our patients at the Children's Cancer Hospital 57357, Cairo, Egypt. This is a retrospective study during the period 2007‐2017. Data analysis included demographic data, risk factors, diagnostic workup, treatment and outcome. During the study period, 45 patients developed proven mucormycosis according to EORTC/MSG criteria (2008). Ninety percentof cases were of haematological malignancies. Liposomal amphotericin B was the mainstay of treatment. Posaconazole was used as secondary prophylaxis in 35% of cases. Combination antifungal was used in three cases with progressive mucormycosis. Surgical intervention was achievable in 50% of cases. Therapy was successful in 35 patients (66%). Complications related to mucormycosis were seen in five cases with disfigurement and perforated hard palate. Chemotherapy delay with subsequent relapse of primary malignancy was reported in one case. Mucormycosis‐related mortality was 33% (15 cases). Mucormycosis is a major cause of mortality among patients with haematological malignancies. Early diagnosis of Mucormycosis infection, with rapid initiation of appropriate antifungal therapy and surgical intervention, whenever feasible, is the backbone of mucormycosis treatment.

Invasive Fungal Sinusitis in Post COVID‐19 Patients: A New Clinical Entity

“…In Egypt, a 10-year study in a pediatric oncology center, reported 45 cases of proven invasive fungal sinusitis which is comparable to the relative incidence present in other countries. 20,21 In our institution, nearly 5 to 7 invasive fungal sinusitis cases are diagnosed per year. Unusually, a notably rising number of this infection has been recorded recently in COVID-19 patients.…”

Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis during the COVID-19 third wave in 2021: an Egyptian preliminary report from a single tertiary hospital

“…In an interesting retrospective study conducted along a decade from 2007 to 2017 in children’s cancer hospital 57,357 in Egypt, only 45 patients reported mucormycosis [ 55 ]. Zaki et al in 2010 reported 10 cases within 12-month duration analysis of admitted cases to Ain Shams specialized hospital with only 2 cases had a sinus mucormycosis and 8 cases had pulmonary mucormycosis [ 56 ], while in the current case series, 100% of the cases had a sinus infection.…”

Update on invasive fungal infections in the Middle Eastern and North African region

“…In North Africa, proven mucormycosis developed in 45 patients in which 90% of the cases had hematological malignancies in Egypt; in addition to mucormycosis-related complications in 5 cases with disfigurement and perforated hard palate. Mucormycosis-related mortality was 33% [124]. In December 2010, 3 out of 5 acute leukemia patients due to Rhizomucor outbreak [125].…”