EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND MYCOLOGICAL FEATURES OF MUCORMYCOSIS IN COVID -19
PANDEMIC IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
Abstract
Incidence of mucormycosis was increased during COVID pandemic mainly
during 2 nd wave. Study was done to find Clinical,
Epidemiological profile of COVID associated Mucormycosis patients in a
Tertiary care hospital in COVID 2 nd wave . To
describe clinical profile , causes, risk factors symptoms, signs &
microbiological features of COVID associated Mucormycosis. Biopsy
samples collected from patients admitted from May 2021 to August 2021and
collected their history of COVID symptoms, treatment taken and their
biopsy samples were sent to laboratory and were analyzed using Potassium
hydroxide mount and culture on Sabaraud’s Dextrose Agar , Dichloran Rose
Bengal agar plates and Lactophenol cotton blue results were noted .Out
of 101 patients,75 males, 26 females.71 patients were on steroid
treatment for COVID. 45 patients were denovo of diabetes mellitus ,56
were chronic diabetic. 24 patients had vision loss, 64 had periorbital
edema, 56 had facial pain , 15 had loss of eye movements ,14 had hard
palate necrosis, each patient having one or more signs. . On KOH mount ,
we got 55 broad aseptate hyphae, 8 narrow aseptate hyphae,3 yeasts. In 7
samples, no fungal elements were seen.28 were KOH positive & culture
negative. On Culture , Rhizopus species was isolated in 43 , Aspergillus
species were isolated in 8, Candida species was isolated 3 , Demeticious
fungi in 1& “ no growth” in 40 . . High clinical suspicion, prompt
diagnosis, and early initiation of medical & surgical intervention are
required are essential for successful outcome.