Doctors at a medical center in Delhi have reported multiple cases of a fatal fungal infection in patients, which they claim was caused by COVID-19
. The fungal infection, called mucormycosis, has caused many of the patients to lose their sight.
Doctors at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi have diagnosed mucormycosis in more than 12 patients. It can cause loss of vision, affects the nose and jaw and can also cause a 50% mortality when it affects the brain in about fifteen days.
What is happening in Delhi?
In the past 15 days, ENT surgeons at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (HRMS) have seen 13 cases of “COVID-19-triggered mucormycosis.”
This alarming affliction, while rare, is not new. What’s new is COVID-19 triggering mucormycosis, they said. Black fungus or mucormycosis has long been a cause of illness and death in transplant patients, ICUs, and immunocompromised individuals. However, it is the rapid increase in the number of people in recovery unsuspected. COVID-19 patients that is causing serious concern, HRMS said in a statement.
“In the last 15 days, ENT surgeons have seen 13 cases of COVID-19“It caused mucormycosis in more than 50 percent of the patients, with loss of sight and the removal of the nose and jaw bone,” he said. Mortality is currently seen in the 50 percent range (five patients), with certain deaths where there is brain involvement, hospital officials said.
What is mucormycosis?
It is also known as zygomycosis. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), this rare but critical fungal infection is caused by a group of molds known as mucormycetes. These molds are naturally present in the environment. However, it affects humans when the body’s immune system has been weakened and vulnerable. It affects the lungs and sinuses after inhalation of fungal spores from the air. The fungus can also enter the body through open wounds or cuts.
“These fungi are not harmful to most people. However, for people who have a weakened immune system, breathing mucormycete spores can cause an infection in the lungs or sinuses that can spread to other parts of the body.” , write the CDC.
The CDC also clarifies that mucormycosis is not contagious. That means it cannot be transmitted between people and animals. “Recognition, diagnosis, and prompt administration of appropriate antifungal treatment are important to improve outcomes for patients with mucormycosis,” the CDC also states.
What’s the latest update on patients in Delhi?
In Delhi, doctors had to do these resections in about 10 patients in the last fortnight, and “about 50 percent lost their sight permanently.” Five of these patients required intensive care due to associated complications. There have also been five deaths so far in this subgroup, according to the statement. According to Manish Munjal, senior otolaryngologist surgeon at the hospital, the frequency with which we are witnessing the occurrence of COVID-19-mucormycosis triggered with high morbidity and mortality has never been seen before and is shocking and alarming. “
Varun Rai, consultant otolaryngologist surgeon at SGRH, said: “Early clinical suspicion of symptoms such as a blocked nose, swelling in the eye or cheeks, and dry black crusts on the nose should immediately prompt biopsy at OPD and initiation of antifungal therapy as soon as possible “.
A report in Times Now also provides a case study of one of the Delhi patients, as explained by SGRH medical professionals.
A 32-year-old man from West Delhi had contracted COVID-19 and had been hospitalized. He had been discharged with a negative test at seven days. But he had an annoying blockage in his left nose that finally caused his eye to swell in 2 days.
She sought medical attention again and was diagnosed as having contracted mucormycosis. By the time he was taken to the hospital, his vision had already started to deteriorate and he was in a partially disoriented state because his left side had started to go numb.
Diagnostic tests revealed that the fungus had already affected his sinuses, nose, and jaw bones and had also reached the brain. Doctors at the hospital managed to save his life, but he is still taking life-sustaining drugs. SGRH doctors said he will soon be discharged.
Has it been reported in other cities?
Yes, in Ahmedabad and Bengaluru to begin with. In Ahmedabad, mucormycosis was reported in five patients suffering from coronavirus or had recently recovered from it. According to a Times of India report, two of these five died, while two of the survivors lost their sight.
According to media reports, also in Bengaluru, mucormycosis was reported in four patients, all related to COVID-19. Two of these patients died.
(With PTI inputs)
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