A STUDY OF RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MUCORMYCOSIS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Background: During second wave of COVID-19 Pandemic, cells of respiratory tract that were already infected with SARS-CoV2 got invaded by fungal spores in increasing rates and if these two conditions happen in a patient with an underlying disease like diabetes mellitus, A serious Triple threat unfolds. This study attempted to evaluate such risk factors that poses an additional threat during second wave of pandemic. Aims And Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors for COVID-19 associated Mucormycosis (COVID - Mucor). To see associated risk factors in Mucormycosis patients who have previously diagnosed covid-19 positive and covid-19 negative. Material And Method: In this study, we analyzed risk factors for Covid-Mucormycosis patients using data from a cross-sectional study, conducted in the Mucormycosis ward, B J Medical College, Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This study covered patients who have been admitted during the period from 14 May 2021 to 08 June 2021. The study was conducted after approval of institutional ethical committee. Risk factors were analyzed among 48 participants: 39 COVID–Mucormycosis (81.25%) and 9 nonCOVID–Mucormycosis (18.75%). Patients aged >18 years with conrmed histopathology report of tissue damage or positive fungal culture were included. Cases group included patients with COVID-19 conrmed by RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) on a nasopharyngeal and Oropharyngeal sample. Control group included subjects with no past history of Covid-19 infection. Study categorical variables were compared between both groups using Fisher's exact test. Result And Conclusions: At the end of this study, among all Comorbidity (Prevalence Risk 1.49; p-value = 0.09), Diabetes Mellitus (Prevalence Risk (PR) 1.56; pvalue = 0.04) was more common in cases. Corticosteroid use (Prevalence Risk (PR) 3.45; p-value = 0.01) was highly associated with cases of Covid-Mucormycosis and Oxygen Therapy (Prevalence Risk (PR) 2.6; p-value = 0.005) was used only in a majority of patients with COVID–Mucormycosis. In conclusion, factors like Diabetes mellitus, Steroid use, Oxygen Therapy, and COVID19 itself contribute as interlocked risk factors for COVID–Mucormycosis epidemic. Judicial use of steroids and Oxygen Therapy with screening and optimal control of hyperglycemia can prevent COVID–Mucormycosis.