COVID-19-associated Mucormycosis: A clinico-epidemiological study

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• An unprecedented rise in COVID-19-associated-mucormycosis (CAM) cases occurred during India's second pandemic wave.
• Mucormycosis is a serious fungal infection, often affecting immunocompromised individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of CAM cases during the second COVID-19 wave in India.
• To identify risk factors and outcomes associated with CAM.

Main Methods:

• An observational study included 208 patients admitted with mucormycosis between May and July 2021.
• Data collected included patient demographics, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes at 3 and 6 months.

Main Results:

• The majority of CAM cases (204/208) presented with rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis.
• 95.7% of patients had diabetes, with 42.3% newly diagnosed; 82.5% were unvaccinated against COVID-19.
• Significant risk factors included uncontrolled hyperglycemia, SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the use of antibiotics, zinc, and steroids. Six-month mortality was 30.7%.

Conclusions:

• Uncontrolled hyperglycemia, SARS-CoV-2 infection, and extensive use of antibiotics, zinc, and steroids are significant risk factors for CAM.
• Despite the high prevalence of risk factors, the six-month mortality rate for CAM was lower than anticipated.