Human mucormycosis; current perspectives

Mucormycosis commonly referred to as black fungus, is an invasive life-threatening fungal infection mainly caused by the opportunistic fungi, belonging to the order Mucorales. While occurrences of mucormycosis were historically infrequent, the onset of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic witnessed a dramatic surge in cases, prompting global concern. Mucorales fungi exist on natural habitats like soil and decaying organic matter, facilitates transmission through inhalation, ingestion, or direct spore inoculation. The clinical spectrum of mucormycosis ranges from less severe cutaneous manifestations to severe, life-threatening disseminated disease, contingent upon both the virulence of the fungus and the immune status of the host. Recognizing its clinical manifestations and risk factors assumes paramount importance, as early diagnosis and intervention are critical in averting progression to a potentially fatal outcome. This review provides a comprehensive overview encompassing the causative organism, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, therapeutic strategies, and preventive measures concerning human mucormycosis, while summarizing the single center experience of mucormycosis during one-year period at a Teaching Hospital situated in Sri Lanka.