Beware of Mucormycosis ( Black Fungus)

 Mucormycosis
 ( Black Fungus or karuppu poonjai in Tamil )

Mucormycosis, previously called zygomycosis is a fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes. One of the rarest fungal diseases mainly affects people who have diabetics or weaker immune systems. 

To be noted:  In recent times it was noted, most of the Covid patients who recovered are getting affected with Black Fungus or Mucormycosis. But not all the covid patients who recovered are affected with Mucormycosis (Black Fungus). Usage of Indiscriminate Steroids and high blood sugar levels are mostly get affected.

Mucormycosis is not a Contagious one and it won't spread between people or from people to animals. 

Image of Mucormycosis

Different types of Mucormycosis:

Type of Mucormycosis is identified based on part of the body in which the symptoms are found.

• Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis is a fungus that grows in the Brain and Sinus
  
  
• It occurs in people with diabetics and renal transplant
• It also occurs with neutropenic cancer patients and organ transplant
  
  
• Symptoms are
  
  
• Fever and Headache
• Swelling at one side of the Face
• Sinus or Nasal Congestion
• Black lesions on the Nasal bridge.

• Pulmonary Mucormycosis is a fungus that grows in the Lungs.
  
  
• It occurs in people with hematologic malignancy or profound neutropenia.
  
  
• Symptoms are
• Chest Pain
• Breathing Problem
• Fever
• Cough
  
  
  Types of Mucormycosis
  
  
• Cutaneous Mucormycosis is a fungus that grows in the Skin.
  
  
• direct inoculation of the fungus into disrupted skin and most often seen in patients with burns and other forms of local skin trauma
• Also, occur in patients who are not immunosuppressed
  
  
• Symptoms are
• Swelling around wound
• Excessive Redness and pain around that place
• Infected area becomes black
• Ulcer

• Gastrointestinal Mucormycosis is a fungus that grows in the passage from the mouth to our anus.
  
  
• It usually occurs in malnourished patients or premature infants
  
  
• Symptoms are
• Gastrointestinal Bleeding
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Abdominal Pain
  
  
• Disseminated Mucormycosis is a fungus that occurs in people who are already affected by other medical conditions.
  
  
• usually seen in neutropenic patients with a pulmonary infection
• Any of the above types may lead to disseminated mucormycosis
  
  
• Symptoms are
• Mental status changes or coma

Mucormycosis - Where it's Found?

• It's found throughout the environment, especially in soil, and associated with decaying organic materials like leaves, piles, and animal dung
• Common in soil than air and in summer, fall in winter or spring
• It's impossible to avoid Mucormycosis since people come in contact with microscopic fungal spores every day. It's not harmful to people
• But it affects people with Weaker immune systems, causes an infection in the lungs or sinus through which affects the entire body through blood

The target audience for Mucormycosis:

Mucormycosis target people who are with a weaker immune system and the body's inability to fight against germs.

It target's the people who have the following symptoms,

• Diabetics Ketoacidosis (DKA)
• Cancer
• Organ & Stem transplant
• Neutropenia
• Corticosteroid usage for a long time
• Too much of Iron
• Skin injury due to burns, surgery, or wounds
• Injection Usage

People with the above symptoms have a higher possibility to get affected by Mucormycosis.

Prevention is better than cure from Mucormycosis:

• Protect by wearing an N95 respirator
• Keep blood sugar under control
• Use steroids Judiciously while treating covid
• Oral ulcer needs to be treated immediately
• Avoid contact with water-damaged building, floodwaters, or hurricanes
• Avoid close contact with soil or dust - protect yourself from the environment
• Antifungal medicines 

Medicine for Mucormycosis:

• Antifungal medicines such as
  
  
• amphotericin B - given through Vein
  
  
• Posaconazole - given through Vein and by mouth
  
  
• Isavuconazole  - given through Vein and by mouth
  
  
• Medicines such as luconazole, voriconazole, and echinocandins may not work for Mucormycosis
  
  
• Often, the infected tissues are removed (cutaway) by surgery

Mucormycosis is a life-threatening infection. Prevent before it causes damage.