European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Mucormycosis is a rare disease of immunocompromised adults largely
restricted to the diabetic community with uncontrolled hyperglycaemia. In the second
wave of Covid, in multiple cities over the Indian Peninsula, this much dreaded “black
fungus” has afflicted many individuals who suffered from covid or were recovering
from it.
Aim: To establish the risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnostic sensitivities,
radiological survey of different types of mucormycosis in SARS Cov 2 patients.
Methods: Seventeen patients with covid infection admitted in tertiary care hospital with
diagnosed mucormycosis between Nov 2020 to June 2021 via histopathological or
culture confirmation. This is a cross-sectional observational study where detailed
assessment of clinical profile, biochemical markers and sensitivities of diagnostic
procedures was done. The data then collected and was made into a master chart and
subjected to statistical analysis. Fischer exact test was used for statistical anaylsis.
Result:In total of 17 patients,mean blood glucose levels were compared at the onset of
symptoms of covid and mucormycosis werestatistically significant with (P=0.001). Out
of 17 patients, 11 were rhino-orbital mucormycosis, four had rhino-orbito-cerebral
mucormycosis and 2 had pulmonary mucormycosis.HbA1c >8 had significant
correlation(P=0.009) with rhino-orbital and rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis
whilehigher total dosage of steroids was associated with pulmonary mucormycosis (P=
0.015. Sensitivity of culture was 64.7% in our study while histopathology was
considered gold standard.
Conclusion: Our study shows strong correlation between the long term as well as short
term glycaemic control with the onset of rhino-orbital mucormycosis while dosage and
duration of steroids with pulmonary mucormycosis.