Survival and prognostic factors in rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis: A 3-year cohort study

Abstract Mucormycosis, a severe fungal infection, has exhibited a concerning increase in recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 outbreak. This three-year cohort study aims to investigate an overview of the epidemiology, clinical and radiographic signs, treatment, and prognosis of Rhino-Orbit...

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Main Authors: Zahra Zia, Mohamad Javad Sajadi, Hanieh Bazrafshan, Behzad Khademi, Masoud Janipour
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98926-9
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author Zahra Zia
Mohamad Javad Sajadi
Hanieh Bazrafshan
Behzad Khademi
Masoud Janipour
author_facet Zahra Zia
Mohamad Javad Sajadi
Hanieh Bazrafshan
Behzad Khademi
Masoud Janipour
author_sort Zahra Zia
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Mucormycosis, a severe fungal infection, has exhibited a concerning increase in recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 outbreak. This three-year cohort study aims to investigate an overview of the epidemiology, clinical and radiographic signs, treatment, and prognosis of Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM). This prospective cohort study was conducted from 2019 to 2022 at Khalili Hospital in Shiraz, Iran. It focused on proven cases of ROCM. Patients underwent a stepwise treatment protocol, with meticulous documentation of findings from ophthalmological examinations and imaging studies. Additionally, a three-year follow-up period was implemented to monitor patient progress and assess the effectiveness of treatment strategies. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS statistics. In this study, 77 patients with ROCM participated. Most patients presented with facial pain (75.3%), swelling (62.3%), and vision loss (51.9%). Treatment included combined antifungal therapy and surgical debridement, with 7.8% undergoing ocular exenteration. Notably, despite the extensive disease, all cases that underwent orbital exenteration survived during the 3-year follow-up. Impaired V2 nerve function was associated with higher mortality rates, and patients presenting with an initial visual acuity of No Light Perception (NLP) had higher mortality compared to those with other degrees of visual impairment. The convergence of mucormycosis, specifically in the form of ROCM, with COVID-19 has led to an outbreak characterized by high mortality and morbidity rates. This cohort study meticulously documented the long-term follow-up of these patients, aiming to provide novel insights into the epidemiology, clinical and radiographic signs, treatment, and prognosis of this fungal infection.
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spelling doaj-art-1bcd0ced8d8646fbabe2fd2c883dc2c02025-08-20T01:49:40ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-011511910.1038/s41598-025-98926-9Survival and prognostic factors in rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis: A 3-year cohort studyZahra Zia0Mohamad Javad Sajadi1Hanieh Bazrafshan2Behzad Khademi3Masoud Janipour4Department of Ophthalmology, Poostchi Ophthalmology Research Center, School of MedicineDepartment of Ophthalmology, Poostchi Ophthalmology Research Center, School of MedicineClinical Neurology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Ophthalmology, Poostchi Ophthalmology Research Center, School of MedicineOtolaryngology Research Center, Department of Otolaryngology, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesAbstract Mucormycosis, a severe fungal infection, has exhibited a concerning increase in recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 outbreak. This three-year cohort study aims to investigate an overview of the epidemiology, clinical and radiographic signs, treatment, and prognosis of Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM). This prospective cohort study was conducted from 2019 to 2022 at Khalili Hospital in Shiraz, Iran. It focused on proven cases of ROCM. Patients underwent a stepwise treatment protocol, with meticulous documentation of findings from ophthalmological examinations and imaging studies. Additionally, a three-year follow-up period was implemented to monitor patient progress and assess the effectiveness of treatment strategies. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS statistics. In this study, 77 patients with ROCM participated. Most patients presented with facial pain (75.3%), swelling (62.3%), and vision loss (51.9%). Treatment included combined antifungal therapy and surgical debridement, with 7.8% undergoing ocular exenteration. Notably, despite the extensive disease, all cases that underwent orbital exenteration survived during the 3-year follow-up. Impaired V2 nerve function was associated with higher mortality rates, and patients presenting with an initial visual acuity of No Light Perception (NLP) had higher mortality compared to those with other degrees of visual impairment. The convergence of mucormycosis, specifically in the form of ROCM, with COVID-19 has led to an outbreak characterized by high mortality and morbidity rates. This cohort study meticulously documented the long-term follow-up of these patients, aiming to provide novel insights into the epidemiology, clinical and radiographic signs, treatment, and prognosis of this fungal infection.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98926-9MucormycosisMorbidityCOVID-19PrognosisMycosesFollow-Up studies
spellingShingle Zahra Zia
Mohamad Javad Sajadi
Hanieh Bazrafshan
Behzad Khademi
Masoud Janipour
Survival and prognostic factors in rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis: A 3-year cohort study
Scientific Reports
Mucormycosis
Morbidity
COVID-19
Prognosis
Mycoses
Follow-Up studies
title Survival and prognostic factors in rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis: A 3-year cohort study
title_full Survival and prognostic factors in rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis: A 3-year cohort study
title_fullStr Survival and prognostic factors in rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis: A 3-year cohort study
title_full_unstemmed Survival and prognostic factors in rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis: A 3-year cohort study
title_short Survival and prognostic factors in rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis: A 3-year cohort study
title_sort survival and prognostic factors in rhino orbito cerebral mucormycosis a 3 year cohort study
topic Mucormycosis
Morbidity
COVID-19
Prognosis
Mycoses
Follow-Up studies
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98926-9
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