COVID-19 associated mucormycosis (CAM) in India: a formidable challenge

Together with the ongoing serious COVID-19 second wave in India, a serious fungal infection, mucormycosis has been increasingly found in COVID-19-recovered patients. Colloquially known as ‘black fungus’, mucormycosis commonly causes necrosis in the head and neck including the nose, paranasal sinuses...

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Published in:British journal of oral & maxillofacial surgery 2021-11, Vol.59 (9), p.1095-1098
Main Authors: Rao, Vishal U.S., Arakeri, Gururaj, Madikeri, Gaurav, Shah, Ashwin, Oeppen, Rachel S., Brennan, Peter A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
B.1.617.2
Black fungus
CAM
COVID-19
COVID-19 associated mucormycosis
Humans
India
India - epidemiology
Mucormycosis
Mucormycosis - epidemiology
Post-COVID Mucormycosis
Risk Factors
SARS-CoV-2
Second wave
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Summary:Together with the ongoing serious COVID-19 second wave in India, a serious fungal infection, mucormycosis has been increasingly found in COVID-19-recovered patients. Colloquially known as ‘black fungus’, mucormycosis commonly causes necrosis in the head and neck including the nose, paranasal sinuses, orbits, and facial bones, with possible intracranial spread. The disease causes high morbidity and mortality given that it progresses rapidly and diagnosis is often delayed. Given the sheer magnitude of the outbreak, the Indian Health Ministry has advised all states to declare mucormycosis an epidemic. Typically, the disease has been found to be linked to COVID-19 infections caused by the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, which has spread rapidly throughout the country. This variant has already become a cause for global concern, having spread to at least 40 countries, including the USA and UK. We present the findings of a study conducted on COVID-19 associated mucormycosis (CAM) patients, and discuss the associated risk factors to raise awareness for OMFS colleagues.
ISSN:0266-4356
1532-1940
DOI:10.1016/j.bjoms.2021.06.013