Mucormycosis, the Black Fungus in the Post-COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Report with Review of Literature.

ABSTRACT

Mucormycosis, a concerning and often fatal fungal infection, has shown a significant rise in cases following the COVID-19 pandemic in India, particularly affecting patients with uncontrolled comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and other immunocompromised individuals. Our case series examines five instances of mucormycosis, supported by appropriate radiographic and histopathological evidence correlating with clinical observations. Our review indicated that patients were experiencing ailments or undergoing treatments that compromised their immune systems. We analyzed additional epidemiological data, including common infection sites, gender predispositions, and mortality rates. Treatments were tailored based on symptom severity, encompassing both surgical and medical approaches. The primary reason for the rise in cases was linked to elevated glycaemic levels and weakened immunity among post-COVID-19 patients. The report provides a detailed explanation of the factors contributing to this correlation. Our findings underscore the critical importance of timely surgical intervention and advocate for further investigation into treatment efficacy and symptom monitoring specific to mucormycosis in post-COVID-19 patients in India.