Mucormycosis in head and neck area - the emerging health problem in COVID-19 pandemic. The perspective of a dental practitioner.

ABSTRACT

Mucormycosis is an invasive fungal disease caused by saprophytic molds and is characterized by a fulminant course and high mortality. Reported increase of disease cases and more frequent mucormycosis superinfections in COVID-19 patients are of a serious concern. Head and neck area is the most typical location of mucormycosis and often the first symptoms are eminent in oral cavity, therefore a dentist may be the first healthcare practitioner to recognize signs of this dangerous and potentially fatal disease. Urgent diagnosis and implementation of appropriate treatment are essential for the patient's survival. The dentist's participation in postoperative care is necessary and due to the destructive nature of radical surgical treatment, prosthetic rehabilitation is required to improve the patient's function and quality of life. Furthermore the vigilance of dentists will also allow early recognition of frequent recurrences of this insidious infection.