mucormycosis

1. What is it

1.1. an invasive fungal infection affecting patients who have recently recovered from COVID-19

2. Also called

2.1. ‘black fungus

3. About the disease

3.1. Mucormycosis is an aggressive and invasive fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycete

3.2. It can affect various organs but is currently manifesting as an invasive rhino-orbito-cerebral disease, crawling through the sinus and working its way to the brain, affecting the ear, nose, throat, and mouth.

3.3. is it contagious

3.3.1. While it is not contagious, it can cause a lot of damage internally and can be fatal if not detected early.

3.4. can lead to

3.4.1. leading to blindness, stroke or death

4. Causes of the disease

4.1. Diabetes mellitus is the most common underlying cause

4.2. haematological malignancies

4.3. solid-organ transplants

5. What causes the disease in covid patients

5.1. an indiscriminate use of a high dose of steroids in COVID-19 patients,

5.1.1. sometimes even in minimally symptomatic patients

5.1.2. This leads to spikes in the sugar level among diabetics, which, in turn, renders them vulnerable

5.2. the use of monoclonal agents like Tocilizumab may be a factor, too.

5.3. the use of nasal prongs and other devices for oxygen delivery and possible breach of sterile conditions can possibly lead to cross-infection and hospital-acquired infection.

6. Symptoms

6.1. stuffy nose

6.2. bloody, blackish, or brown discharge from the nose

6.3. blackish discolouration of the skin,

6.4. swelling or numbness around the cheek

6.5. one-sided facial pain, toothache or jaw pain

6.6. drooping of the eyelids or eyelid swelling

6.7. double vision

6.8. redness of eyes

6.9. sudden decrease in vision.

7. Treatment

7.1. The main line of treatment is an anti-fungal drug called amphotericin B

7.2. Surgery to remove the fungus growth might also be warranted.

8. How can it be prevented

8.1. rational use of steroids

8.2. monoclonal antibodies only when they can help a patient, is important,

8.3. It is important to keep blood sugar levels under control

8.4. ensure that appropriate calibration of oral drugs or insulin is done from time to time, stressed