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Fungal Mucormycosis Covid associated

A rare but serious fungal infection, known as Mucormycosis and colloquially as “black fungus”, is being detected relatively frequently among Covid-19 patients. The disease often manifests in the skin and also affects the lungs and the brain. With a number of Mucormycosis cases detected in Delhi, Maharashtra and Gujarat. What is the disease? Although rare, it is a serious infection. It is caused by a group of moulds known as mucoromycetes present naturally in the environment. It mainly affects people who are on medication for health problems that reduces their ability to fight environmental pathogens. Sinuses or lungs of such individuals get affected after they inhale fungal spores from the air. In some states have noted a rise in cases of Mucormycosis among people hospitalized or recovering from Covid 19, with some requiring urgent surgery. Usually, Mucormycetes does not pose a major threat to those with a healthy immune system. What happens when one contracts it? Warning signs include pain and redness around the eyes or nose, with fever, headache, coughing, shortness of breath, bloody vomits, and altered mental status. According to the advisory, infection with Mucormycetes should be suspected when there is: Sinusitis — nasal blockade or congestion, nasal discharge (blackish/bloody) Local pain on the cheek bone, one-sided facial pain, numbness or swelling; Blackish discoloration over bridge of nose/palate; Loosening of teeth, jaw involvement; Blurred or double vision with pain; Thrombosis, necrosis, skin lesion; Chest pain, pleural effusion, worsening of respiratory symptoms. Advise that one should not count all cases of blocked nose as cases of bacterial sinusitis, particularly in the context of immunosuppression and/or Covid-19 patients on immunomodulators. Do not hesitate to seek aggressive investigations for detecting fungal infection. What’s the treatment? While it is treated with antifungals, Mucormycosis may eventually require surgical debridment. It is of utmost importance to control diabetes, reduce steroid use, and discontinue immunomodulating drugs. To maintain adequate systemic hydration, the treatment includes infusion of normal saline (IV) before infusion of amphotericin B and antifungal therapy, for at least 4-6 weeks. Need to control hyperglycemia , and monitor blood glucose level after discharge following Covid-19 treatment, and also in diabetics. One should use steroids judiciously — correct timing, correct dose and duration are important. Management of Covid patients with Mucormycosis is a team effort involving microbiologists, internal medicine specialists, intensivist neurologist, ENT specialists, ophthalmologists, dentists, surgeons (maxillofacial/plastic) and others. Life after surgery for mucormycosis Mucormycosis can lead to loss of the upper jaw and sometimes even the eye. “Patients would need to come to terms with loss of function due to a missing jaw — difficulty with chewing, swallowing, facial aesthetics and loss of self-esteem. Be it the eye or upper jaw, these can be replaced with appropriate artificial substitutes or prostheses. While prosthetic replacement of the missing facial structures can commence once the patient stabilizes after surgery, doctors it is important to reassure him about the availability of such interventions instead of leaving him to panic with the sudden unforeseen loss. How can one prevent it? One should remember that it is a rare disease. However, some groups of people are more vulnerable than others. What predisposes patients is uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression by steroids, prolonged ICU stay, and comorbidities — post transplant/malignancy, voriconazole therapy. Advise that you use masks if you are visiting dusty construction sites. Wear shoes, long trousers, long-sleeved shirts and gloves while handling soil (gardening), moss or manure. Maintain personal hygiene including a thorough scrub bath.