COVID-19 Associated Mucormycosis (CAM): A Brief Review

Abstract

Mucormycosis is also known as “Black Fungus”. It has come into light as mucormycosis as a formidable infection in patients with severe and fatal immunosuppression. Heavy intake of steroids with no vitamin supliments and immune supplementation has led to further deterioration of health of covid-19 recovered patients. Patients are reporting back to the hospital with complains of the black fungus, UTI, recurrent diarrhoea and compromised lungs functioning. According to the doctors, cases of mucormycosis are being seen among Covid patients who were administered steroids to treat the symptoms, particularly among who are suffering from diabetes, cancer and other co-morbidities. The most prominent predisposing factors are immunosuppression followed by neutropenia and haematopoietin, stem cell transplantation, uncontrolled DM, burns, morbidity leads to increased demand of antifungal drugs. Black fungus is manifest in the air pockets located behind the forehead, nose, cheekbones and in between the eyes and teeth. Black fungus is spread to the eyes, lungs and spread even to the brain. Treatment of this fungal infection requires a multi-disciplinary approach consisting of eyes surgeons, ENT specialist, general surgeons, neurosurgeons and dental maxillofacial surgeons, among other, and the institution of the Amphotericin-B as an antifungal medicine. From COVID-19 pandemic, many reports came of the very high incidence of COVID-19 induced mucormycosis in patients with diabetes and who are on steroids during their stay in hospitals.