Histopathological Study of Mucormycosis in Post COVID-19 Patients and Factors Affecting it in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Introduction. COVID-19 is an infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) which may be associated with a wide range of bacterial and fungal co-infections. Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fungal infection occurring in post COVID-19 patients. Objectives. To study the role of histopathology in mucormycosis and the predisposing factors associated in development of mucormycosis in post COVID-19 patients. Materials and methods. A prospective observational study was conducted in our hospital in the pathology department over a period of 3 months on 200 patients with mucormycosis who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus. Results. Out of the 200 patients with mucormycosis studied in post COVID-19 patients, age ranged from 21-80 years, of which 132 were men and 68 were women. Sites involved by mucormycosis were sinuses, orbit, cranium, and cutaneous. Ethmoid sinus was most involved, followed by maxillary sinus. Diabetes was present in 162 patients and hypertension in 92 patients. On histopathological examination, fungal load was severe in 49 patients, angioinvasion was present in 48 patients, perineural invasion was present in 32 patients, and necrosis was present in 121 patients. The number of patients discharged after surgery was 169, whereas 31 died. Conclusion. Histopathological features of mucormycosis like angioinvasion, perineural invasion, severe fungal load, and large areas of necrosis were directly proportional to the mortality rate. Thus, histopathologists can help in assessing prognosis at the time of tissue diagnosis, so that clinicians can optimize treatment accordingly. Diabetes and history of corticosteroid intake for treatment of COVID-19 were the two commonest predisposing factors for development of mucormycosis.

Evaluation of Acute Oral Toxicity of Ethanol Leaves Extract of Catharanthus roseus in Wistar Albino Rats.

INTRODUCTION: Herbal drugs have gained importance globally in the treatment of various diseases. Catharanthus roseus is traditionally used as an anti diabetic and anti cancer drug. To the best of our knowledge limited data are available on acute and sub acute toxicity of C. roseus extract despite its wide spread use in traditional medicine. The present study was under taken to evaluate the acute oral toxicity of the ethanol leaves extract of C. roseus. AIM: To investigate the acute oral toxic effects of ethanol leaves extract of C. roseus. The objective of the study was to evaluate organ toxicity related to heart, liver and kidney in wistar albino rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiment was done based on the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guideline 420. The study included twenty five non pregnant female wistar rats (n=25). Sighting study was done using the fixed dose method. The study was conducted by giving a single dose of test drug varying from 5, 50, 300 and 2000 mg and animals were observed for fourteen days. Blood samples were collected and biochemical findings SGPT, SGOT, urea, creatinine, creatinine phosphokinase and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) were analyzed. Food consumption, water intake and histopathology changes were evaluated. RESULTS: Catharanthus roseus Extract (CRE) at a dose of 2000 mg did not produce mortality. SGOT, SGPT, Creatinine phosphokinase, LDH, urea and creatinine were elevated in 300 mg and 2000 mg doses. CONCLUSION: Though there was no mortality, the extract of C. roseus higher than 300 mg can produce signs of biochemical and histopathological toxicity in liver, kidney and heart. It is recommended that lower doses than the studied ones should be used for treatment.