The Past, Present and Future of COVID-19 Associated Mucormycosis: A Rapid Review

J Prim Care Community Health. 2022 Jan-Dec:13:21501319221099476. doi: 10.1177/21501319221099476.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by SARS-CoV-2, which is known for the multiple mutations and forms that have rapidly spread across the world. With the imminent challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries in curbing the public health fallbacks due to limited resources, mucormycosis emerged as a fungal infection associated with high mortality. In this rapid review, we explored MEDLINE, Cochrane, Web of Science, WHO Global Database, and the search engine-Google Scholar for articles listed until July 2021 and presented a narrative synthesis of findings from 39 articles. The epidemiology, causative factors, incidence parameters, pharmacological treatment, and recommendations for low- and middle-income countries are enlisted. This study concludes that a majority of the globally reported COVID-19 associated mucormycosis cases stemmed from India. Individuals receiving systemic corticosteroids or who have a history of diabetes mellitus are more prone to contracting the disease. Public health authorities in LMIC are recommended to strengthen antifungal therapies for COVID-19 associated mucormycosis and to strategize reduction in diabetes mellitus prevalence.

Keywords: COVID-19; India; developing countries; fungal infection; mucormycosis; public health.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Diabetes Mellitus* / epidemiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus* / therapy
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Mucormycosis* / complications
  • Mucormycosis* / epidemiology
  • Mucormycosis* / therapy
  • SARS-CoV-2