Published May 30, 2024 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Associated Opportunistic Fungal Infections with a Special Reference to Mucormycosis

  • 1. Postgraduate, Department of Microbiology, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
  • 2. Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India
  • 3. Post graduate, Department of Microbiology, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
  • 4. MCh Neurosurgery, Professor and HOD, Department of neurosurgery, Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India 5 Professor and HOD, Andhra Medical College, Department of Microb
  • 5. Professor and HOD, Andhra Medical College, Department of Microbiology, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Description

Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an increased burden on the health care delivery system in
India and has been associated with a wide range of opportunistic bacterial and fungal infections.
Amis and Objectives: To know the prevalence of fungal infections among the post covid patients.
Material and Methods: A total number of 482 samples from clinically suspected mucormycosis cases
attending various departments and transported to department of Microbiology, All samples are processed
according to standard Microbiological procedures.
Results: In a total of 482 clinically suspected individuals, fungal culture and microscopy were used to evaluate
mucormycosis. Out of 482 samples analysed in this study, 263 cases (54.5%) were found to have fungal
elements with a 10% KOH mount, while 219 cases (45.5%) were found to be negative. Out of 482, 247 (51.2%)
samples were positive for culture, and 235 (48.8%) samples were sterile. Of the 247 fungal isolates, 91 (36.8%)
are Mucorales, of which 90 are Mucor species. But one of them was identified as Rhizopus, while the remaining
112 (45.4%) are Aspergillus species, 43 (17.4%) are Candida species, and 1 (0.4%) is a Penicillium species
Conclusion: Despite the hype, mucormycosis cases were well handled by using simple microbiological
methods for an early diagnosis and initiation of antifungal therapy in our hospital.

Abstract (English)

Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an increased burden on the health care delivery system in
India and has been associated with a wide range of opportunistic bacterial and fungal infections.
Amis and Objectives: To know the prevalence of fungal infections among the post covid patients.
Material and Methods: A total number of 482 samples from clinically suspected mucormycosis cases
attending various departments and transported to department of Microbiology, All samples are processed
according to standard Microbiological procedures.
Results: In a total of 482 clinically suspected individuals, fungal culture and microscopy were used to evaluate
mucormycosis. Out of 482 samples analysed in this study, 263 cases (54.5%) were found to have fungal
elements with a 10% KOH mount, while 219 cases (45.5%) were found to be negative. Out of 482, 247 (51.2%)
samples were positive for culture, and 235 (48.8%) samples were sterile. Of the 247 fungal isolates, 91 (36.8%)
are Mucorales, of which 90 are Mucor species. But one of them was identified as Rhizopus, while the remaining
112 (45.4%) are Aspergillus species, 43 (17.4%) are Candida species, and 1 (0.4%) is a Penicillium species
Conclusion: Despite the hype, mucormycosis cases were well handled by using simple microbiological
methods for an early diagnosis and initiation of antifungal therapy in our hospital.

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Dates

Accepted
2024-04-21