Uncontrolled diabetes is a major factor in acquiring black fungus infection or mucormycosis, which occurs in Covid-19 patients after recovery and leads to further complications. An online event hosted on Saturday by the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences with 52 experts discussed the problem in order to prepare the workforce to ensure that patients do not fall victim to the infection while informing them of the relevant treatment protocols . SGPGI Director Prof. RK Dhiman said, “Mucormycosis is a rare, opportunistic invasive fungal infection that occurs in immunocompromised patients, uncontrolled diabetes is the most common risk factor for acquiring this infection. These fungal spores are in the air, in the ground, and on decomposed debris is present and enters the sinuses and lungs by inhaling contaminated air. Covid-19 patients with uncontrolled diabetes who are undergoing treatment with steroids are at increased risk of infection. “The infection can be successfully managed and treated with a multidisciplinary approach and the role of the microbiologist, ENT specialist, ophthalmologist and diabetologist is crucial to achieve successful results. Meanwhile, nine more cases of black fungus infections have been reported at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) on Saturday, since March 17. Of the nine cases, three patients were referred from other hospitals after they were diagnosed with black fungus infection, while five developed the complication at home. One patient developed symptoms during treatment at KGMU’s IDH department. With these nine new cases, the number of mucormycosis patients undergoing treatment at the KGMU has risen to 13. Seven of them also have Covid, while others have recovered from the novel coronavirus infection and will be admitted to the -Covid ward, including one in the intensive care unit, for the treatment of black fungus. The KGMU spokesman, Dr. Sudhir Singh said the patient was excluded in I CU, all others are stable. The patient in the intensive care unit underwent an operation in which ENT experts removed all of the dead tissue.
