Introduction

The novel corona-virus 2019 (nCoV-2019) or Serve Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was an outbreak from Wuhan, China in 2019 and spread rapidly on a global platform forming a global pandemic.^[1], ^[2] Over one year of the outbreak and despite great efforts, there is no standard treatment of the disease. The covid-19 disease causes a range of mild to deadly pneumonia with association of other bacterial, viral and fungal co-infection.^[2] Long hospital stay promotes secondary infections in the covid-19 patients and the immune-compromised patients are more prone to develop severe opportunistic infections.^[3], ^[4] The previous study suggests that fungal infection in hospitalized Covid19 patients is more common than others,^[5], ^[6], ^[7] as the nature of the disease is still mysterious, it can’t be confirmed if it’s a complication of the disease or its management.

Mucormycosis is a rare but severe fungal infection caused by the Mucorales species of phylum Zygomycota. Naturally, Mucorales occur in soil, their spores spread by air often contaminate foods, water, and clinical specimens. The Mucor sp., Rhizopus sp., Asidia and Cunningham ella are the main causative agent for MC in humans.^[3], ^{[8] Mu}c^ormycosis described as a potentially lethal infection amongst immune-compromised hosts, particularly in those with diabetes, leukemia, and lymphoma.^[9] During the fungal infection thrombosis and tissue necrosis are the major symptoms and require antifungal drug therapy and surgery to help remove the infected tissues. In this Covid19 era, the rate of MC cases rapidly growing in the Covid19 patients in India. Mucormycosis is difficult to diagnose which affects outcomes and results in a poor prognosis. Delay in diagnosis increase the mortality rate by about 35-66%.^[10], ^[4]

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional observational study conducted in a tertiary care hospital for two months period from 15, April 2021 to June 2021. The demographic details and clinical diagnosis were recorded from medical records. During the study period, our microbiology laboratory received various specimens such as nasal swabs, ET secretion, sputum, and tissues from our IPD departments such as ICU, and Covid19 ward for the detection of fungal infection in the specimens. Patients admitted in our hospital with a history of fever, cough, body ache and shortness of breath for 4-5 days with have positive report of nasopharyngeal/ oropharyngeal swab for covid19 RT-PCR were included in the present study. Wound swabs were rejected. If the specimens were transported to the laboratory in a sterile container and swabs, the aspirates were immediately performed direct microscopy, KOH smear preparation and gram’s stain. Identification was done on the basis of morphology in the microscopy. Statistical analysis (Mean, % Value etc.) was done using MS excel 2013.

Observation & Results

Total of n=35 suspected sputum; nasal swab and BAL samples from N=27 of participants were received in our microbiology laboratory during study period. Age, sex and other demography details were collected before sample collection, the average age of the participants was 62.4 ± 9.4 years and the majority of participants were male (77.7%). Although, 44.4% participants belong to 41-60 year age and 55.6% of participant belongs to 61-80 year age ([Table 1]).

Out of N= 27 participants, 90.4% males and 66.6% of females had a history of autoimmune disease; all the participants had a conformed RT-PCR positive report for Covid-19. Moreover, all the participants had a history of long hospital stay during the treatment of covid19, the average hospital stay of all the participants were about 17 days ([Table 2]).

Moreover, our microbiology laboratory received multiple samples (sputum + nasal swab and BAL secretion from the same participants) from the five participants ([Table 2]). Out of n=35 specimens, total 8 specimen found positive for fungal smear i.e. n=5 sputum, n=3 nasal swabs and n=0 BAL specimens ([Table 3]). Positive report for fungal smear were informed immediately to concern clinician.

Received specimens directly examine by microbiologist before acceptance in the microbiology laboratory and further processed for fungal detection. Fungal smear (KOH wet mount) and gram staining perform for morphological analysis [Figure 1].

Discussion

Although India has not been able to actively control and limit the second wave of COVID-19, the number of new cases is now in decline. Despite this, emerging complications associated with COVID-19 are being reported with the fungal infection mucormycosis becoming a serious issue in India due to its unprecedent surge and high morbidity.^[10], ^[4], ^[11]

The term MC collectively known “black mold” or “black fungus” in India is a fungal infection caused by the order of mucorales. Order: Mucorales is the group of the filamentous fungus, comprises about 20 pathogenic species which are further divided into 12 genera.^[8] The genera of Mucorales are one of the best decomposers of organic materials and are often found in decaying organic materials such as rooted fruits and vegetables, plant litter, and animal manure.^[12] The Mucor sp., Rhizopus sp., Asidia and Cunningham ella are the main causative agent for MC in humans.^[13] Spores of the mucorales are highly prevalent in the air. Patients acquire the infection by inhalation, ingestion or traumatic inoculation of the spores from the environment.^[14] Other than environmental factors, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, inappropriate steroid therapy, increased iron accumulation, and the damage caused by the COVID-19 virus may responsible for the MC.^[4], ^[11], ^[15]

In our study we reported MC in N=5 participants who were long stayed in hospital on oxygen support. All the MC positive participants belong to >60 years age and all had a weakened immune system. Mortility rate of MC is very high, early diagnosis is very essential to reduce the sever morbidity and mortility of patients.^[16] The standard approaches for the treatment of MC are usually based on the combination of antifungal therapy and surgical removal of involved tissues.^[17]

Conclusion

Mucormycosis is serious threats in this covid-19 pandemic situation; cases of MC continue to increase in post covid-19 disease patients in India. It is a life-threatening disease that happens due to black mold. Now, we are still learning more about the new and long-term manifestations of the Covid-19 infection. The MC occurring in the post Covid-19 patients are a secondary infection and directly linked with the virus, poor glycemia control, widespread use of corticosteroids, and invasive ventilation. Therefore, early screening and diagnosis are much-needed to prevent is a life-threatening event cause by the black mold in post Covid-19 infection.

Source of Funding

Nil

Conflict of Interest

Nil