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VOLUME 4 , ISSUE 4 ( October-December, 2021 ) > List of Articles

SHORT COMMUNICATION

COVID-19 and Mucormycosis: Predisposing Factors and Preventive Strategies

Saurabh R Shrivastava

Keywords : COVID-19, Diabetes mellitus, Mucormycosis, Opportunistic infection

Citation Information : Shrivastava SR. COVID-19 and Mucormycosis: Predisposing Factors and Preventive Strategies. 2021; 4 (4):92-94.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10082-03126

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 24-12-2021

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2021; The Author(s).


Abstract

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. COVID-19 has been associated with a wide range of opportunistic infections, viz. bacterial and fungal. Mucormycosis is one of the most deadly and life-threatening invasive fungal infections which has typically seen a rising trend with the rise in COVID-19 cases. Patients who are at higher risk to develop mucormycosis include those with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, steroid-induced immunosuppression, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, immunosuppression due to malignancies or posttransplant, prolonged stay in intensive care units, patients on oxygen therapy and/or mechanical ventilation, etc. Preventive strategies for mucormycosis should aim at addressing the underlying risk factors in COVID-19 patients, airborne infection control at the facility level, as well as personal protective measures at the individual level. Finally, a high index of suspicion, clinically, on the part of the treating physician can go a long way in prompt diagnosis and initiation of aggressive antifungal therapy and extensive surgical management of mucormycosis, leading to an improved outcome.


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