Recently, there has been a surge in cases of Mucormycosis, a serious fungal infection, that has been triggered by Covid-19. In particular, patients with reduced immunity due to Covid-19 are increasingly susceptible to this infection.
Mucormycosis: A Brief Overview
Often referred to as Black Fungus or Zygomycosis, Mucormycosis is caused by a group of moulds called mucormycetes. This rare fungal infection can prove fatal if not treated promptly.
Types of Mucormycosis Infections
The fungus can cause five types of infections – Rhinocerebral, Pulmonary, Gastrointestinal, Cutaneous, and Disseminated Mucormycosis. Each type targets different parts of the body and is more common in certain demographics.
Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis infects the sinuses and can spread to the brain. The risk is higher for people with uncontrolled diabetes and receivers of kidney transplants.
Pulmonary Mucormycosis is the most common type among people with cancer, organ transplant recipients, and those who have underwent stem cell transplantation.
Gastrointestinal Mucormycosis is more prevalent among young children than adults, particularly those who are premature and low-weight infants less than a month old.
Cutaneous Mucormycosis results from the fungi entering through a skin breach. While it can affect anyone, it’s most common in people without weakened immune systems.
Disseminated Mucormycosis happens when the infection is spread via the bloodstream to affect another part of the body. It commonly affects the brain, but can also attack organs like the spleen, heart, and skin.
Transmission Mechanism of Mucormycosis
Mucormycosis spreads through inhalation, inoculation or ingestion of spores from the environment, which could include simply breathing in spores from the air. It’s worth noting that this infection does not spread between humans or animals. Typically, it’s found in individuals with health conditions or on medications that lower the body’s immunity.
Signs and Symptoms to Look out For
The general symptoms of Mucormycosis include one-sided facial swelling and numbness, headaches, nasal or sinus congestion, black lesions on the nasal bridge or upper inside of mouth, fever, abdominal pain, nausea and gastrointestinal bleeding. For disseminated Mucormycosis, the symptoms can differ as it usually occurs in patients already sick from other medical conditions. Patients with a brain infection can experience mental status changes or fall into a coma.
Diagnosis and Treatment Procedures
Healthcare providers consider a patient’s medical history, currently exhibited symptoms, physical examinations, and laboratory tests when diagnosing Mucormycosis. If the infection is suspected, they’ll collect a fluid sample from the respiratory system or perform a tissue biopsy.
The treatment requires prescription antifungal medicine to prevent Mucormycosis and other mould infections. Often, surgery is required to remove the infected tissue.
Prevention Measures and Early Detection
There currently exists no vaccine to prevent Mucormycosis, but methods to lower chances of developing the infection for those with lowered immunity exist. These may include avoiding dust-filled areas, water-damaged buildings, and activities involving close contact with soil.
Early detection of the infection can prevent loss of eyesight, nose or jaw via timely clinical intervention.
Mucormycetes: The Fungi behind the Infection
Mucormycetes, the group of fungi causing Mucormycosis, are omnipresent, particularly in soil and decaying organic matter. These fungi can cause an infection when inhaled by individuals with weakened immune systems. However, they pose no threat to most people. Health care providers can detect and treat the illness effectively when caught early.