Risk factors of mucormycosis in post-COVID-19 patients--A Retrospective study

ABSTRACT

Background: Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis was seen in increasing severity in the recent second wave of COVID-19 in India. The incidence of mucormycosis is increased significantly in patients with diabetes. The most common cause attributed to the rise of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients are uncontrolled diabetes. Lymphopenia and increased levels of certain cytokines, such as IL-6, have been closely associated with the disease severity. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to analyze risk factors involved in Mucormycosis in 2nd wave of COVID-19. Materials and Methods: The study was done in the Mucormycosis ward, Department of ENT, Patna Medical College and Hospital, Patna, between May 2021 and July 2021. A total of 100 patients of both gender and all age groups were taken into the study. Results: Out of 100 patients included in the study, 57% (n=57) of patients had history of steroid intake, while 43% (n=43) had no history. About 41% (n=41) of patients needed oxygen support during treatment, while 59% (n=59) had no history of oxygen inhalation. About 88% (n=88) of patients had prior history of diabetes or detected during treatment, while 12% (n=12) had no prior history of diabetes or detected during treatment. About 91% (n=91) of patients had uncontrolled hyperglycemia, while 9% (n=9) had controlled blood sugar level. Conclusion: Uncontrolled hyperglycemia and delta strain are mainly associated major risk factors that lead to such high number of mucormycosis cases in India (post 2nd wave of COVID-19). Steroid role is not that much significant in our study and oxygen inhalation is not associated with mucormycosis. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Asian Journal of Medical Sciences is the property of Manipal Colleges of Medical Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)