Mucormycosis outbreak in India - What lead us to this crisis?

This is a retrospective study analysing the demographics, clinical characteristics, radiological findings and treatment of the 54 patients of rhino-sino-orbital or cerebral mucormycosis in a tertiary health care centre in Jharkhand. All patients with probable or proven mucormycosis were included in the study. A significant number (45%) of patients belonged to rural areas. About 20% of patients did not give history of COVID infection denoting association of mucormycosis in mild or asymptomatic COVID patients. There was a delay of approximately 11 days in seeking medical care leading to poorer outcome in patients. Diabetes was a major risk factor associated with 83% of the patients. Steroid was given as treatment in 80%of the patients who had COVID - 19. Extensive disease was seen in 37% of the patients suggesting that the mucormycosis was more devastating during the outbreak as compared to pre- covid times.
 

Keywords: Mucormycosis, Black fungus, COVID­19, Coronavirus