Mucormycosis: An Epidemic Associated with Pandemic- A Systematic Review

Different infections have been presenting danger to mankind every once in a while and in 2019 a serious respiratory illness (COVID-19) reported in Wuhan, Hubei province of China, became a threat to general wellbeing not only in China but all the nations throughout the world. COVID-19 disease which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is found to be associated with a wide range of opportunistic fungal and bacterial infections. Candidial and aspergillus infections leading to mucormycosis and orbital compartment syndrome have been reported to be the main co-infections in COVID-19 patients, which must be recognized and treated promptly to avoid any morbidity and mortality. Low oxygen environment, acidic medium, high glucose, decreased phagocytic activity and increased ferritin levels in addition to prolonged hospitalization with or without mechanical ventilators are considered as the main risk factors. Thus, the main aim of the article is to briefly survey and discuss about the types, causes, methods to prevent and treatment modalities of main co-morbidity of COVID 19 i.e. mucormycosis.