DIFFERENCES IN THE MICROBIOLOGICAL PICTURE IN PATIENTS WITH POST-COVID OSTEONECROSIS OF THE MAXILLOFACIAL REGION AND THE RISK GROUP FOR THIS COMPLICATION

Abstract

Subject. Postcovid necrosis of the maxillofacial region is one of the severe consequences of a new coronavirus infection, the etiology and pathogenesis of which are not fully understood. A large number of researchers emphasize the leading role of molds in the development of this complication, which they characterize as COVID-19-associated rhino-orbito-cerebral mycosis. However, there is a point of view that the inflammatory process in post-covid necrosis can also be caused by other pathogens - saprophytic microflora. The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of microbiological examination in patients with Postcovid necrosis of the maxillofacial region and in the risk group for this complication. Methodology. The main study group consisted of 19 patients with signs of osteonecrosis of the bones of the facial skeleton and inflammatory lesions of the paranasal sinuses after suffering a coronavirus infection (Postcovid necrosis of the maxillofacial region). Control group (risk group) - 32 patients with severe COVID-19 without the above manifestations. A microbiological study was performed - a smear from the mucous membrane in the region of the middle nasal passage, smear microscopy, seeding on standard and elective (Saburo) media before treatment. Data were compared using Fisher's exact test for p<0.05. Results. In the main group there were 19 people - 10 men (52.63%), 9 women (47.37%), aged 54 to 73 years, in the control group - 18 (56.25%) men, 14 (43, 75%) women, 52 to 83 years old. In the main group, Streptococcus viridans, Klebsiella pneumonia and Mucor spp. were detected significantly more often (p<0.05), and Staphylococcus aureus was found in the risk group. Mycelium of mold fungi was found only in 3 patients of the main group, in the rest the absence of fungal invasion was confirmed cytologically and pathohistologically. Conclusions. The data obtained confirm the assumption that the inflammatory process in Postcovid necrosis of the maxillofacial region can be caused by various pathogens and is an opportunistic nosocomial infection. It is required to monitor patients at risk and timely treatment if they develop specific symptoms.