A Rare Invasive Fungal Osteomyelitis of the Orofacial Region Caused by Curvularia Species–Case Report

Abstract

Amid this pandemic, COVID-19 patients are acquiring secondary invasive fungal infections such as mucormycosis. The primary reason for such invasive sinonasal infections in people with COVID-19 is an ideal environment of low oxygen, high glucose levels, acidic medium, high iron levels, and immunosuppression coupled with several other risk factors including prolonged hospitalisation with or without mechanical ventilators. Even though mucormycosis is commonly reported in COVID-19 patients, we reported an unusual case of invasive fungal osteomyelitis of the maxilla caused by Curvularia species in a recovered COVID-19 patient. Intraoral manifestation of Curvularia species is rare and seldom reported in the literature. Sinusitis due to unusual fungal pathogens, like Curvularia, is thought to occur primarily in immunocompromised individuals and poorly controlled diabetics. The invasive fungal disease spreads rapidly, and hence prompt diagnosis and treatment are necessary to avoid high mortality and morbidity rates.