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- Can occur either concurrent to the COVID-19 infection or in the early post-recovery phase
- Patients with pre-existing, poorly controlled diabetes are more at risk for Mucormycosis
- Hotline number for any Mucormycosis Eye Related Issues – 18002002211
Bhubaneswar, 24th May,2021 ( Odisha Samachar )-: The second wave of COVID-19 that India is witnessing is far more severe with an increase in the incidence of an unusual fungal infection called Mucormycosis. It is caused by a fungus found all around us in soil, water and air called Mucor. It is also being called Black Fungus, but that is a misnomer.
Mucormycosis can occur either concurrent to the COVID-19 infection or in the early post-recovery phase and affect the sinuses, eyes and brain. Even though Mucor is present in the oral and respiratory lining of healthy individuals, it does not manifest as an infection in the presence of a healthy and intact immune system. Generally, this infection occurs in patients with uncontrolled diabetes, undergoing cancer chemotherapy, on long-term steroid therapy, following organ transplantation, extensive burns and poly-trauma (severe injuries). As the severity of the second wave is far more intense, more patients are being put on steroids and oxygen, and hence the increase in the cases of Mucormycosis,” says Dr Suryasnata Rath, Campus Director – Oculoplasty Specialist, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Mithu Tulsi Chanrai Campus, Patia, Bhubaneswar.
The COVID-19 virus causes a reduction in the lymphocyte (white blood cell) levels in the body. WBCs are the body’s first line of defence against infections. Its failure allows for Mucor to attack the body and spread in the body tissues. The current COVID management protocols require judicious but high dose steroid usage in those patients whose lungs have got affected. While helping to bring the COVID-related damage under control, the counter-effect of such high dose steroids is suppression of the body’s immune mechanisms, which in turn makes our body more vulnerable to fungal infection. Certain drugs called immunomodulators used to treat severe cases of COVID-19 can cause immunosuppression. ICU admissions with long-term oxygen inhalation may result in a drop in oxygen mask hygiene. If the patient has pre-existing, poorly controlled diabetes, he/she is more at risk of developing Mucormycosis,” he further explains.
The common symptoms are as like Any kind of facial pain, Pain over the sinuses (cheekbones), Stuffy nose, Blood-stained or black nasal discharge, Drooping of the upper eyelid, Unusual bulging of the eyes, Restricted movement of the eyeball, Sudden redness and extreme swelling over the eyeball, Sudden decrease in vision, Black lesions on the palate or dental pain
Mucormycosis is a very invasive infection with significant morbidity and mortality. If the patient experiences any such symptoms, he/she should immediately consult a specialised eye surgeon, preferably an Oculoplasty Specialist. Alternatively, an ENT surgeon can also be consulted,” advises, Dr Rath.
Blood tests to check sugar levels, nasal swabs and MRI scan are generally done to find out the presence and extent of the Mucor infection. Early and localised infections can be treated with intravenous and local anti-fungal injections followed by a long course of oral anti-fungal medications. Extensively spread infections require aggressive sinus surgery to clear the internal contents of the cheekbones and injections behind the eye. In a lot of these cases, unfortunately, the entire eyeball may need to be removed to contain the infection and avoid fatality.
Precautions To reduce the risk of contracting Mucormycosis, the patients can consult their treating physician to ensure good control of blood sugar both during and after recovery from COVID-19. Before your physician puts you on a particular treatment plan, diligently list out to them the physical ailments that you, especially diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.
Mucormycosis is another emerging threat, and the need of the hour is early diagnosis and timely treatment. To minimise the delay in accessing timely treatment, L V Prasad Eye Institute has introduced a hotline number – 18002002211. People can call any time on this number between 9:00 am to 6:00 pm from Monday to Saturday for any queries regarding Mucormycosis. In Odisha, LVPEI has a Tertiary Eye Care Centre and a City Centre at Bhubaneswar and Secondary Centres across Ganjam, Keonjhar, Rayagada and Sundargarh
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