A rare but potentially deadly infection dubbed “black fungus” by Indian doctors appears to be more frequent among CCP virus patients in the world’s second-most populous nation, according to reports.
The infection, called mucormycosis, is caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes found particularly in soil and is associated with decaying organic matter such as rotting leaves and wood, compost piles, and animal dung, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“We’ve seen this skyrocket in recent weeks,” she said.
According to the news agency, citing data from state-run hospitals, at least 300 cases have been reported in four cities in Gujarat—Ahmedabad among them. In India’s western state of Maharashtra, where Mumbai is located, about 300 cases have been reported, Khusrav Bajan, another member of the state’s COVID-19 task force, told AFP.
Depending on where the fungus grows, it has the ability to attack the skin, lungs, digestive system, brain, or areas surrounding the sinus and can eat away at facial structures including the nose, mouth, and eyes. The fungus can more likely cause an infection in those with weakened immune systems. People can come into contact with the fungus directly via a cut or trauma in the skin, or indirectly by breathing in fungal spores.
Symptoms of mucormycosis can include headache, nasal or sinus congestion, and pain due to black lesions on the nasal bridge or the mouth. Others may experience more lung-related symptoms including fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
As India faces a shortage of medical oxygen—a treatment that can relieve a lack of oxygen in the blood due to pneumonia following infection from the CCP virus—steroids are instead being prescribed to many patients as treatment for the virus. Steroids can reduce the hyper-inflammatory response that arises from COVID-19 and can help people with breathing difficulties. But steroids also weaken a person’s immune system, thereby making them more vulnerable to being infected with the mucormycetes molds, Hansoti told USA Today.
She added that diabetes is a prime risk factor for being infected with “black fungus.” Up to 75 percent of mucormycosis cases occur in CCP virus patients with diabetes, she said, adding that due to lack of routine testing, there’s a high prevalence of uncontrolled diabetes in India.
The overall mortality rate of the fungal infection is about 50 percent, but early diagnosis and treatment can increase the chances of survival, according to the CDC. The condition is treated with certain prescription antifungal medications, and may need surgery to remove any infected body tissue.
