Mucormycosis (black fungus) ensuing COVID-19 and comorbidity meets - Magnifying global pandemic grieve and catastrophe begins

Sci Total Environ. 2022 Jan 20:805:150355. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150355. Epub 2021 Sep 16.

Abstract

Post COVID-19, mucormycosis occurred after the SARS-CoV-2 has rampaged the human population and is a scorching problem among the pandemic globally, particularly among Asian countries. Invasive mucormycosis has been extensively reported from mild to severe COVID-19 survivors. The robust predisposing factor seems to be uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, comorbidity and immunosuppression acquired through steroid therapy. The prime susceptive reason for the increase of mucormycosis cases is elevated iron levels in the serum of the COVID survivors. A panoramic understanding of the infection has been elucidated based on clinical manifestation, genetic and non- genetic mechanisms of steroid drug administration, biochemical pathways and immune modulated receptor associations. This review lime-lights and addresses the "What", "Why", "How" and "When" about the COVID-19 associated mucormycosis (CAM) in a comprehensive manner with a pure intention to bring about awareness to the common public as the cases are inevitably and exponentially increasing in India and global countries as well. The article also unearthed the pathogenesis of mucormycosis and its association with the COVID-19 sequela, the plausible routes of entry, diagnosis and counter remedies to keep the infection at bay. Cohorts of case reports were analysed to spotlight the link between the pandemic COVID-19 and the nightmare-mucormycosis.

Keywords: COVID-19 induced Mucormycosis; Comorbidity; Dexamethasone; Diagnosis; Hyperglycemia; Ketosis; Secondary infections.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Comorbidity
  • Fungi
  • Humans
  • Mucormycosis* / epidemiology
  • Pandemics
  • SARS-CoV-2