Epidemiological and Mycological Features of MUCORMYCOSIS in Covid -19 Pandemic in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction: Incidence of mucormycosis was increased during COVID pandemic. Uncontrolled DM, usage of corticosteroids is an important risk factor for ROCM. Aims & Objectives: To find Clinical, Epidemiological profile of Covid associated Mucormycosis patients in a Tertiary care hospital in covid 2nd wave surge. To delineate clinical, Epidemiological profile of Covid associated mucormycosis patients. To identify Causes, Risk factors. To describe symptoms, signs & microbiological features of Covid associated Mucormycosis. Materials and Methods: A patient proforma was prepared for patients admitted from May to August 2021, collected their history of Covid symptoms, treatment taken and their biopsy samples were sent to microbiology laboratory, analyzed using KOH mount and culture on SDA, DRBC agar plates and LPCB results were noted Results: Out of 101 patients, 75.7%are males, 26.2% are females.71 patients were on steroid treatment of Covid. 45 were Renovo of DM, 56 were chronic diabetic. 24 patients had visionless, 64 had periorbital edema, 56 had facial pain, 15 had loss of eyemovements ,14 had hard palate necrosis, each patient having one or more signs. On KOH mount, 55 broad aseptate hyphae, 8 narrow aseptate hyphae, 3 yeasts. In 7 samples, no fungal elements were seen.28 were KOH positive & culture negative. On Culture, Rhizopus species was isolated in 43 patients, Aspergillus species were isolated in 8, Candida was isolated 3 patients, Demeticious fungi in 1 patient & “no fungal growth” in 40 patients. Conclusion: Covid -19 infection increased the risk of mucormycosis. Awareness of symptoms and signs, high clinical suspicion, prompt diagnosis, and early initiation of medical & surgical intervention are essential for successful outcome.