Rampant Increase in Cases of Mucormycosis in India and Pakistan: A Serious Cause for Concern during the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2021 Aug 30;105(5):1144-1147. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0608.

Abstract

COVID-19 is a global health crisis that continues to pose new challenges all around the world. Amidst the growing pandemic, a spike in the number of mucormycosis cases in India and Pakistan has been reported in COVID-19 patients and in those who have recovered from COVID-19. This increase in cases may be related to the overuse of steroids and zinc, the use of industrial oxygen, unsterilized medical equipment, frequent intubation, a weakened immune system, and pre-existing comorbidities such as diabetes. As a result, it is critical to take steps to handle the current increase in mucormycosis cases. Therefore, this article aims to highlight the existence of mucormycosis amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in India and Pakistan, focusing on possible causes and implications, and suggests important plans of action to be taken during this pandemic.

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • Coinfection / epidemiology*
  • Coinfection / microbiology
  • Coinfection / virology
  • Comorbidity
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • India / epidemiology
  • Mucorales / pathogenicity*
  • Mucormycosis / drug therapy
  • Mucormycosis / epidemiology*
  • Mucormycosis / etiology
  • Mucormycosis / virology
  • Pakistan / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents