Mucormycosis: An Emerging Fungal Infection in the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a resurgence of mucormycosis, a rare and opportunistic fungal infection, with India reporting a particularly notable increase in incidence. Mucormycosis is a life-threatening condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent high morta...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Pasteur Institute of Iran
2024-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-558-en.html |
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| Summary: | During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a resurgence of
mucormycosis, a rare and opportunistic fungal infection, with India
reporting a particularly notable increase in incidence. Mucormycosis is a
life-threatening condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to
prevent high mortality rates and severe sequelae. It is caused by the
inhalation of spores from ubiquitous filamentous fungi belonging to the
order Mucorales. Individuals with compromised immune systems or
underlying conditions, such as diabetes, ketoacidosis, and neutropenia, are
particularly vulnerable to infection. The risk and severity of mucormycosis
are exacerbated by several factors, including corticosteroid therapy,
prolonged intensive care stay, and the use of ventilators. Additionally,
contaminated oxygen humidifiers pose a significant risk. Effective
management of mucormycosis in critically ill COVID-19 patients relies on
early diagnosis, optimization of predisposing factors, timely antifungal
treatment, surgical debridement, and adjuvant therapies. Imaging modalities
such as contrast-enhanced CT scans and MRI are crucial for guiding surgical
debridement and assessing disease extent. This review article provides a
comprehensive overview of the clinical pathogenesis, risk factors, diagnosis,
treatment, and challenges associated with mucormycosis in COVID-19
patients, summarizing the latest findings in this field. |
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| ISSN: | 2345-5349 2345-5330 |