Mucormycosis: What you need to know about deadly black fungus seen in Covid-19 patients in India

Pre-existing comorbidities like diabetes and high dependency on steroids linked to fungal infection

Indian health workers bring a suspected Covid-19 positive patient into a hospital in Ahmedabad, India (EPA)

Hospitals in India are reporting a rise in the number of Covid patients suffering from a secondary black fungus infection, with over 200 such cases reported across the country.

The fungal infection called mucormycosis is caused by a group of moulds called “mucormycetes” that are present in the air and cause complications in those with acute illnesses such as severe Covid, or in people with compromised immunity.

According to doctors, once inhaled the infection in such patients could spread into the sinus cavities, lungs, and chest cavities.

Currently the reasons for the black fungus infection in Covid patients has not been extensively studied.

However, experts believe steroids prescribed to lower the acute inflammatory response in some severe Covid patients may be lowering their immunity enough for the fungal infection to take root as they recover from the coronavirus infection.

Pre-existing comorbidities like diabetes, obesity, and high or uncontrollable level of blood sugar may also put Covid patients at a higher risk of catching mucormycosis.

According to Delhi doctors, patients who contract the black fungus have around a 50 per cent survival rate.

Some of the signs and symptoms of the fungal infection include persistent pain and headaches caused when the fungus infects sinus cavities and nerves.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has asked patients to look out for signs including one-sided facial pain, tooth ache, nasal discharge as well as blackish discolouration at the bridge of the nose.

Mucormycosis infection also reportedly causes people to develop bloodshot eyes, poor vision, or swelling in one of the eyes.

Pain on the cheekbone and skin lesions have also been reported in those infected by the fungus, as well as delirium, memory loss, and neurological impairment.

The most characteristic feature is facial deformity and the growth of black patches around the eyes and nose.

In order to manage the symptoms, ICMR advises doctors to control diabetes in patients and discontinue prescription of drugs that modulate the immune system.