Mucormycosis threats: A systemic review

Area of Science:

• * Infectious Diseases
• * Mycology
• * Public Health

Background:

• * Mucormycosis, a severe fungal infection, saw a significant global rise during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• * The infection primarily affects the sinuses and can spread to other organs, posing a high fatality risk in immunocompromised individuals, including those with diabetes and cancer.
• * India reported a dramatic increase, with over 30,000 cases during a recent epidemic, highlighting a concerning epidemiological shift.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To review the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment challenges of mucormycosis.
• * To highlight the recent epidemiological changes and regional impact of mucormycosis outbreaks.
• * To emphasize the difficulties in early diagnosis and effective management of this opportunistic infection.

Main Methods:

• * Comprehensive literature review on mucormycosis.
• * Analysis of epidemiological data from recent outbreaks, particularly in India.
• * Discussion of diagnostic modalities including molecular, serological, microscopic, and clinical methods.

Main Results:

• * Mucormycosis prevalence escalated significantly from late 2020 to mid-2021, becoming epidemic in India.
• * Diagnosis is complicated by the lack of a single definitive test and overlapping symptoms with other fungal infections.
• * Treatment is challenging, often requiring long-term antifungal therapy (e.g., Amphotericin B) and surgical intervention for tissue removal.

Conclusions:

• * The review underscores the critical need for improved diagnostic tools and treatment strategies for mucormycosis.
• * Managing predisposing conditions is crucial for preventing mucormycosis.
• * The recent surge necessitates further research into the factors driving the epidemiological shift and effective public health interventions.