A Fatal Case of Rhizopus azygosporus Pneumonia Following COVID-19

We report a fatal case of Rhizopus azygosporus pneumonia in a 56-year-old man hospitalized for COVID-19 who had received methylprednisolone and tocilizumab. Although COVID-associated pulmonary aspergillosis has been widely documented, mucormycosis has been rarely reported. In this patient, receipt of two commonly used immunosuppressants likely contributed to mucormycosis risk, suggesting the need for vigilance in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Automated summary

This case report highlights a rare case of COVID-19 patient with Rhizopus azygosporus pneumonia, emphasizing the potential risk of mucormycosis with the use of immunosuppressants. It underscores the importance of vigilance in monitoring hospitalized COVID-19 patients for fungal infections.