COVID-19 ASSOCIATED MUCORMYCOSIS (CAM) AND IT’S MANAGEMENT

Abstract

AIM - The onset of COVID-19 pandemic second wave, there have been multiple reports across the country of high incidence of MUCORMYCOSIS among the recovered patients of COVID-19, especially those who are diabetics or those who have received steroids therapy extensively. In this paper, we review about COVID-19 ASSOCIATED MUCORMYCOSIS (CAM) and its management. DISCUSSION - COVID 19 infection may be associated with a wide range of bacterial as well as fungal infections, post- covid. These infections are result of complex interplay of factors such as pre-existing disease such as Diabetes, previous respiratory pathology, use of immune -suppressive therapy. Additionally, the wide spread use of steroids/broad spectrum antibiotics as part of the regimen against COVID-19, may exacerbate the opportunistic fungal infections. COVID-19 ASSOCIATED MUCORMYCOSIS (CAM) has been associated with high morbidity and mortality, resulting in exorbitant treatment cost and also leads to shortage of anti-fungal drugs. RESULT - Successful management of this fatal infection requires early identication of the disease and aggressive and prompt medical and surgical interventions. Therapeutic agents should be used cautiously and closely monitored to achieve desired results.