MUCORMYCOSIS: CONCEPTS AND IMPORTANT TOPICS FOR THE DENTAL SURGEON
Abstract
Mucormycosis is a serious, aggressive, and complex fungal infection caused by fungi of the genus Mucorales. Epidemiological data show a low global incidence and prevalence, affecting mostly immunocompromised patients. Its morbidity and mortality increase is due to the coexistence with other systemic pathologies, including COVID-19, which is responsible for the increased number of cases in the pandemic context. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the main oral and systemic manifestations of mucormycosis that involve and guide the participation of the dentist in the diagnostic process and therapeutic possibilities of the pathology. This literature review was developed from research conducted in different databases using specific search terms, considering works published between 2010 and 2025, available in full in Portuguese, Spanish, and English. Mucormycosis can manifest in rhino-orbito-cerebral forms (its most common form), pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cutaneous, renal, and disseminated forms. The initial signs of the pathology include persistent fever, facial pain, and oral manifestations such as: palatal ulcers, sudden tooth mobility, pain in the upper teeth, areas of bone exposure, and necrotic eschars. Therefore, in this scenario, the dentist is a fundamental professional in the multidisciplinary team for obtaining an early diagnosis and initiating the indicated therapy, impacting the reduction of patient morbidity and mortality.
Author Biographies
Graduanda em Odontologia. Centro Universitário de Patos de Minas.
Graduanda em Odontologia. Centro Universitário de Patos de Minas.
Graduanda em Odontologia. Centro Universitário de Patos de Minas.
Graduanda em Odontologia. Centro Universitário de Patos de Minas.
Graduanda em Odontologia. Centro Universitário de Patos de Minas.
Egressa do curso de Odontologia. Centro Universitário de Patos de Minas.
Mestre em Odontologia. Centro Universitário de Patos de Minas.
Doutor em Odontologia. Centro Universitário de Patos de Minas.
References
AL-TAWFIQ, J. A.; ALHUMAID, S.; ALSHUKAIRI, A. N.; TEMSAH, M.; BARRY, M.; MUTAIR, A. A; RABAAN, A. A.; AL-OMARI, A.; TIRUPATHI, R.; ALQAHTANI, M. COVID-19 and mucormycosis superinfection: the perfect storm. Infection, [S. L.], v. 49, n. 5, p. 833-853, 24 jul. 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s15010-021-01670-1
BONIFAZ, A.; TIRADO-SÁNCHEZ, A.; PAREDES-FARRERA, F.; MORENO-MORENO, J.; ARAIZA, J.; GONZÁLEZ, G. M. Oral involvement in mucormycosis: a retrospective study of 55 cases. Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica, v. 39, n. 10 p. 506-509, 2020. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eimc.2020.09.003
BRASIL. Ministério da Saúde. Mucormicose (Fungo Negro). Brasília: Ministério da Saúde, 2024. Disponível em: https://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/assuntos/saude-de-a-a-z/m/mucormicose Acesso em: 21 nov. 2025.
CDC. Mucormycosis – Clinical Overview. [S. l.]: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023. Disponível em: https://www.cdc.gov/mucormycosis/
CHAKRABORTY, R.; PANDYA, D.; DAUSAGE, P.; CHAWLA, A. Mucormycosis - The deadly fungus – A case report with dental perspective. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, v. 11, p. 1532–1535, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1339_21
DILEK, A.; OZARAS, R.; OZKAYA, S.; SUNBUL, M.; SEN, E. I.; LEBLEBICIOGLU, H. COVID-19-associated mucormycosis: case report and systematic review. Travel Medicine And Infectious Disease, [S. L.], v. 44, p. 102148, nov. 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tmaid.2021.102148
ELBOROLOSY, S.; KHALIFA, G.; EBEID, K.; MAHRAN, H.; MOHAMMED, M.; ABDELFATTAH, M.; ELSHAMAA, M. Analysis of the clinical parameters and management aspects of rhino-maxillary mucormycosis, Part I: challenges in diagnosis. BMC Oral Health, v. 25, 2025. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-05842-5
FAKHRUDDIN, K.; MATSUBARA, V.; WARNAKULASURIYA, S.; TILAKARATNE, W.; NGO, H.; SAMARANAYAKE, L. Mucormycosis of the Mandible and Tongue: A Systematic Scoping Review. International Dental Journal, v. 74, p. 454–472, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.identj.2023.11.011
FARES, R. D.; SKRIVAN, J. M. F.; PINHEIRO, L. S.; SANTOS, A. C. K.; MORAES, S. L. C. A cirurgia buco-maxilo-facial e o tratamento da mucormicose: relato de caso. Journal Of The Brazilian College Of Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery, [s. l], v. 8, n. 4, p. 31-34, dez. 2022.
FATHIMA, A.; MOUNIKA, V. L.; KUMAR, V. U.; GUPTA, A.K.; GARAPATI, P.; RAVICHANDIRAN, V.; DHINGRA, S.; MURTI, K. Mucormycosis: a triple burden in patients with diabetes during covid-19 pandemic. Health Sciences Review, [S. L.], v. 1, p. 100005, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hsr.2021.100005
GROVER, S. B.; GROVER, H.; ANTIL, N.; PATRA, S.; SEN, M. K.; NAIR, D. Imaging approach to pulmonary infections in the immunocompromised patient. Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging, Mumbai, v. 32, n. 1, p. 81–112, 2022 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1743418
GUPTA, D.; DOSI, T. A rare entity to major outbreak: a case report on mucormycosis. Pan African Medical Journal, [S. L.], v. 39, p. 183-193, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2021.39.183.30479
JANJUA, O. S.; SHAIKH, M. S.; FAREED, M. A.; QURESHI, S. M.; KHAN, M. I.; HASHEM, D.; ZAFAR, M.S. Dental and Oral Manifestations of COVID-19 Related Mucormycosis: diagnoses, management strategies and outcomes. Journal Of Fungi, [S. L.], v. 8, n. 1, p. 44-80, 31 dez. 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jof8010044
JUNQUEIRA, J. T. S.; COSTA, B. D. S.; ALMEIDA, C. L. L. et al. Mucormicose: aspectos epidemiológicos, métodos diagnósticos e condutas terapêuticas. Brazilian Journal of Developmed, Curitiba, v. 8, n.12, p.80955-80968, 2022. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv8n12-273 Acesso em: 21 nov 2025.
KIM, J.; PARK, H. J.; PARK, J. H.; BAEK, J.; KIM, H. J.; CHA, I; NAM, W. Importance of immediate surgical intervention and antifungal treatment for rhinocerebral mucormycosis: a case report. Journal Of The Korean Association Of Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeons, [S. L.], v. 39, n. 5, p. 246, 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.5125/jkaoms.2013.39.5.246
KONTOYIANNIS, D. P.; LEWIS, R. E. How I treat mucormycosis. Blood, [S. L.], v. 118, n. 5, p. 1216-1224, 4 ago. 2011. http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood-2011-03-316430
MAGRI, L. V et al. Mucormicose: Um estudo de série de casos clínico-patológicos. Research, Society and Development, v. 13, n. 2, e0213244903, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v13i2.44903
MAHALAXMI, I. et al. An opportunistic pathongen during COVID-19. Environmental Research, v. 201, p. 111643, out 2021. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34237335/ Acesso em 21 nov 202.
MEDSCAPE. Mucormycosis – Follow-up & Prognosis. [S. l.]: MEDSCAPE, 2023. Disponível em: https://emedicine.medscape.com
MERCK. Mucormycosis – MSD Manual Professional Edition. [S. l.]: MERCK, 2023. Disponível em: https://www.msdmanuals.com
MORA-MARTÍNEZ, A.; MURCIA, L.; RODRÍGUEZ-LOZANO, F. J. Oral manifestations of mucormycosis: a systematic review. Journal of Fungi, v. 9, n. 9, p. 935, set. 2023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9090935
PAI, V. et al. Rhino-orbito-cerebral Mucormycosis: Pictorial Review. Insights into Imaging, v. 12, n. 1, 12 nov. 2021. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34767092/ Acesso em: 21 nov. 2025.
PAL, R. et al. COVID-19-associated mucormycosis: An updated systematic review of literature. Mycoses, v. 64, n. 12, p. 1452-1459, 25 jun. 2021. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34133798/ Acesso em 21 nov 2025.
PRAKASH, H.; CHAKRABARTI, A. Global Epidemiology of Mucormycosis. Journal of Fungi, v. 5, n. 1, p. 26, 21 mar. 2019. Disponível em: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/bedb/5c4508962425fb39b8db2e1fe01efe1ac45b.pdf Acesso em: 21 nov. 2025.
PRAKASH, H.; GHOSH, A. K.; RUDRAMURTHYC, S. M.; PAUL, R. A.; GUPTA, S.; NEGI, V.; CHAKRABARTI, A. Fonte ambiental da infecção emergente por Apophysomyces variabilis na Índia. Micologia Médica, [s. l], v. 6, n. 54, p. 567-575, ago. 2016.
SHAH, A.; SHAH, N.; JOSHI, S. Mucormycosis in dentistry. Global Journal for Research Analysis, [S. L.], v. 13, n. 1, p. 2277- 8160 jan. 2024. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.36106/gjra/9406936
SHARMA, A.; GOEL, A. Mucormycosis: Risk factors, diagnosis, treatments, and Challenges during COVID-19 Pandemic. Folia Microbiologica, v. 67, n. 3, 26 fev. 2022. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12223-021-00934-5 .Acesso em: 21 nov. 2025.
SKIADA, A; PAVLEAS, I; DROGARI-APIRANTHITOU, M. Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Mucormycosis: An Update. J Fungi (Basel), v. 6, n. 4, p. 265, nov. 2020. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.3390/jof6040265A Acesso em: 21 nov 2025.
STATPEARLS. Mucormycosis. NCBI Bookshelf, 2023. Disponível em: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/
License
Copyright (c) 2026 RECIMA21 - Revista Científica Multidisciplinar - ISSN 2675-6218
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Os direitos autorais dos artigos/resenhas/TCCs publicados pertecem à revista RECIMA21, e seguem o padrão Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0), permitindo a cópia ou reprodução, desde que cite a fonte e respeite os direitos dos autores e contenham menção aos mesmos nos créditos. Toda e qualquer obra publicada na revista, seu conteúdo é de responsabilidade dos autores, cabendo a RECIMA21 apenas ser o veículo de divulgação, seguindo os padrões nacionais e internacionais de publicação.