Shanmuga Vadivoo Natarajan

Abstract

COVID-19 Associated Mucormycosis (CAM) is an emerging infectious disease that has caused increased mortality & morbidity in India during this second wave of the pandemic. The country has reported more than 30,000 cases and over 2,000 deaths by Mucormycosis so far, according to sources from Union Health Ministry. CAM is now a notifiable disease. At our Tertiary care teaching hospital, which caters for COVID 19 management, we are reporting the first case of Rhino orbital CAM, which was caused by Rhizopus spp. Our patient had a history of contact with a suspected COVID 19 patient and was recently diagnosed with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. A direct KOH microscopic examination of purulent material aspirated from the sinonasal polyp of the patient revealed fungal elements, and Rhizopus spp was isolated. Due to a shortage of Amphotericin B, the patient was referred to a government higher speciality centre for further management. The patient was followed up & was noted that he was treated with antifungal and discharged following recovery.   Keywords: Mucormycosis, Rhino­orbital Covid associated Mucormycosis­CAM, Case report­India

View Article

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 the most recently discovered infectious disease caused by SARS CoV-2 novel corona virus is now a pandemic affecting many countries globally. Genetic sequencing was done from lung wash samples collected from a cluster of pneumonia cases in city of Wuhan, China in January 2020. From the genome sequence the novel regions of the genome was identified and new molecular diagnostic tools were developed from that. Materials and Methods: A detailed internet search particularly at the following websites, World health organization, Indian council of Medical research, Centers for disease control & prevention, Foundation of Innovative new diagnostics were done. The latest information of testing strategy, test kits list and their performance are periodically updated by the above mentioned organizations & websites. Other authenticated links from were resources were collected are mentioned in the manuscript. Numerous diagnostic tests were used to identify COVID-19.Unless we know who is infected we cannot stop the pandemic. This article briefs overview of diagnostics used for detecting COVID-19, the most important being Molecular assay & Immunoassay, Sample collection & Lab biosafety for testing. A comprehensive review of advantages & disadvantages of closed and open molecular platforms, potential application of the assays used for detection, where to look for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics performance data and full list of all molecular /immunoassay COVID-19 detection tests. Conclusion: This comprehensive review might help the readers to understand the current microbiological detection methods and update on the same. Keywords: COVID-19, SARS CoV-2, Microbiological detection, Comprehensive Review.

View Article