PATTERNS AND CLINICAL BURDEN OF FUNGAL INFECTIONS IN COVID-19 PATIENTS: 6 MONTHS OF A STUDY CONDUCTED IN WESTERN INDIA
Main Article Content
Keywords
COVID-19; mucormycosis; diabetes; corticosteroid therapy
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections have become a major complication in COVID-19 patients, particularly in India. The proposed prospective study aims to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and range of fungal infections, such as mucormycosis and aspergillosis, in 232 COVID-19 positive patients at a NABL accredited laboratory in Western India. The results indicate that diabetes mellitus, the use of corticosteroids, and hyperglycemia have a high likelihood of causing fungal infections mainly in the nose areas, sinuses, and rhino-orbit areas of patients with COVID-19. The diagnosis was easy and timely with the use of the laboratory screening through the use of the KOH mounts and cultures. The prompt treatment is vital since these infections progress fast and are deadly and the importance of close clinical handling by administration of antifungal agents like lyophilized Amphotericin B is highlighted.
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2. Ahmed, N., et al., COVID-19-Associated Candidiasis: Possible Patho-Mechanism, Predisposing Factors, and Prevention Strategies. Curr Microbiol, 2022. 79(5): p. 127.
3. Al-Hatmi, A.M.S., et al., COVID-19 associated invasive candidiasis. J Infect, 2021. 82(2): p. e45-e46.
4. Almutawif, Y.A., et al., Insights on Covid-19 with superimposed pulmonary histoplasmosis: The possible nexus. Immun Inflamm Dis, 2023. 11(9): p. e989.
5. Al-Tawfiq, J.A., et al., COVID-19 and mucormycosis superinfection: the perfect storm. Infection, 2021. 49(5): p. 833-853.
6. Ashour, M.M., et al., Imaging spectrum of acute invasive fungal rhino-orbital-cerebral sinusitis in COVID-19 patients: A case series and a review of literature. J Neuroradiol, 2021. 48(5): p. 319-324.
7. Avkan-Oğuz, V., et al., Fungal colonization and infections in patients with COVID-19 in intensive care units: A real-life experience at a tertiary-care hospital. Respir Med Res, 2022. 82: p. 100937.
8. Azhar, A., et al., Mucormycosis and COVID-19 pandemic: Clinical and diagnostic approach. J Infect Public Health, 2022. 15(4): p. 466-479.
9. Balaji, S.M., Post COVID-19 fungal and microbial infections. Indian J Dent Res, 2020. 31(5): p. 669.
10. Balushi, A.A., et al., COVID-19-Associated Mucormycosis: An Opportunistic Fungal Infection. A Case Series and Review. Int J Infect Dis, 2022. 121: p. 203-210.
11. Bayram, N., et al., Susceptibility of severe COVID-19 patients to rhino-orbital mucormycosis fungal infection in different clinical manifestations. Jpn J Ophthalmol, 2021. 65(4): p. 515-525.
12. Benhadid-Brahmi, Y., et al., COVID-19-associated mixed mold infection: A case report of aspergillosis and mucormycosis and a literature review. J Mycol Med, 2022. 32(1): p. 101231.
13. Bhattacharyya, A., et al., Rhino-orbital-cerebral-mucormycosis in COVID-19: A systematic review. Indian J Pharmacol, 2021. 53(4): p. 317-327.
14. Bhopalwala, H., et al., COVID-19 Infection and Late Manifestation of Pulmonary Aspergillosis. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep, 2022. 10: p. 23247096211063332.
15. Bogdan, I., et al., Fungal Infections Identified with Multiplex PCR in Severe COVID-19 Patients during Six Pandemic Waves. Medicina (Kaunas), 2023. 59(7).
16. Boia, E.R., et al., Associated Bacterial Coinfections in COVID-19-Positive Patients. Medicina (Kaunas), 2023. 59(10).
17. Bortoluzzi, P., V. Boneschi, and S. Veraldi, "Mask" Tinea: An Increasing Infection during COVID-19 Pandemic. Mycopathologia, 2022. 187(1): p. 141-142.
18. Cai, M., et al., Rates of infection with other pathogens after a positive COVID-19 test versus a negative test in US veterans (November, 2021, to December, 2023): a retrospective cohort study. Lancet Infect Dis, 2025. 25(8): p. 847-860.
19. Chakravarty, J., et al., COVID-19-associated Mucormycosis: A clinico-epidemiological study. J Diabetes Complications, 2022. 36(9): p. 108284.
20. Chao, C.M., C.C. Lai, and W.L. Yu, COVID-19 associated mucormycosis - An emerging threat. J Microbiol Immunol Infect, 2022. 55(2): p. 183-190.
21. Chumbita, M., et al., COVID-19 and fungal infections: Etiopathogenesis and therapeutic implications. Rev Esp Quimioter, 2021. 34 Suppl 1(Suppl1): p. 72-75.
22. Dallalzadeh, L.O., et al., Secondary infection with rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis associated with COVID-19. Orbit, 2022. 41(5): p. 616-619.
23. Dave, T.V., et al., Immunopathology of COVID-19 and its implications in the development of rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis: a major review. Orbit, 2022. 41(6): p. 670-679.
24. Desai, N., et al., Perturbations of immune landscape in COVID-19 associated mucormycosis. Mycoses, 2023. 66(3): p. 226-236.
25. Dilek, A., et al., COVID-19-associated mucormycosis: Case report and systematic review. Travel Med Infect Dis, 2021. 44: p. 102148.
26. El-Kholy, N.A., A.M.A. El-Fattah, and Y.W. Khafagy, Invasive Fungal Sinusitis in Post COVID-19 Patients: A New Clinical Entity. Laryngoscope, 2021. 131(12): p. 2652-2658.
27. Eryilmaz-Eren, E., et al., Risk factors for invasive mold infection after COVID-19: case-control study. Afr Health Sci, 2024. 24(4): p. 77-84.
28. Ramaswami, A., et al., COVID-19-associated mucormycosis presenting to the Emergency Department-an observational study of 70 patients. Qjm, 2021. 114(7): p. 464-470.
29. Rodriguez-Morales, A.J., et al., COVID-19 and mucormycosis in Latin America - An emerging concern. Travel Med Infect Dis, 2021. 44: p. 102156.
30. Sarkar, S., et al., COVID-19 and orbital mucormycosis. Indian J Ophthalmol, 2021. 69(4): p. 1002-1004.
31. Selarka, L., et al., Mucormycosis: a dreaded complication of COVID-19. Qjm, 2021. 114(9): p. 670-671.
32. Selarka, L., et al., Mucormycosis and COVID-19: An epidemic within a pandemic in India. Mycoses, 2021. 64(10): p. 1253-1260.
33. Sen, M., et al., Mucor in a Viral Land: A Tale of Two Pathogens. Indian J Ophthalmol, 2021. 69(2): p. 244-252.
34. Sikka, K., et al., Initial and ongoing challenges with COVID-19-associated mucormycosis. Indian J Ophthalmol, 2021. 69(12): p. 3391-3393.
35. Singh, A.K., et al., Mucormycosis in COVID-19: A systematic review of cases reported worldwide and in India. Diabetes Metab Syndr, 2021. 15(4): p. 102146.
36. Sundaram, N., et al., Mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients. Indian J Ophthalmol, 2021. 69(12): p. 3728-3733.
37. Walia, S., et al., COVID-19-associated mucormycosis: Preliminary report from a tertiary eye care centre. Indian J Ophthalmol, 2021. 69(12): p. 3685-3689.
38. Mahalaxmi, I., et al., Mucormycosis: An opportunistic pathogen during COVID-19. Environ Res, 2021. 201: p. 111643.
39. Werthman-Ehrenreich, A., Mucormycosis with orbital compartment syndrome in a patient with COVID-19. Am J Emerg Med, 2021. 42: p. 264.e5-264.e8.
40. Yadav, S., Pediatric Mucormycosis and COVID-19. J Contemp Dent Pract, 2021. 22(8): p. 855.
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Published
Nov 18, 2025
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How to Cite
Shafquat Jahan, Kirit Patel, & Hardip Dharsandia. (2025). PATTERNS AND CLINICAL BURDEN OF FUNGAL INFECTIONS IN COVID-19 PATIENTS: 6 MONTHS OF A STUDY CONDUCTED IN WESTERN INDIA. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 32(10), 872-877. https://doi.org/10.53555/zbvp0308
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Author Biographies
Shafquat Jahan
Department of Microbiology, Netaji Subhas Medical College and Hospital, Amhara, Bihta, Bihar 801103, India
Microbiology & Molecular Department, Metropolis Healthcare limited, Rajkot, Gujarat, India
Kirit Patel
Microbiology & Molecular Department, Metropolis Healthcare limited, Rajkot, Gujarat, India
Hardip Dharsandia
Microbiology & Molecular Department, Metropolis Healthcare limited, Rajkot, Gujarat, India
How to Cite
Shafquat Jahan, Kirit Patel, & Hardip Dharsandia. (2025). PATTERNS AND CLINICAL BURDEN OF FUNGAL INFECTIONS IN COVID-19 PATIENTS: 6 MONTHS OF A STUDY CONDUCTED IN WESTERN INDIA. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 32(10), 872-877. https://doi.org/10.53555/zbvp0308