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International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences Review Article
COVID-19 and mucormycosis in India: epidemiology, risk factors and clinical challenges
Vijai Krishana V, Santhanakrishnan K, Thangasubha T, Selva Durai and Nazreen B
Year : 2025 | Pages: 135-140
Received on: 18/09/2025
Revised on: 22/10/2025
Accepted on: 27/10/2025
Published on: 15/11/2025
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Vijai Krishana V, Santhanakrishnan K, Thangasubha T, Selva Durai and Nazreen B( 2025).
COVID-19 and mucormycosis in India: epidemiology, risk factors and clinical challenges
. International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences, 10( 6), 135-140.
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Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with numerous secondary infections, among which mucormycosis a rare but aggressive fungal infection has emerged as a significant health concern in India. COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM) primarily affects immunocompromised patients, especially those with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or those receiving corticosteroid therapy. This review comprehensively examines the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical manifestations, and management challenges of CAM in the Indian context. Evidence from recent studies indicates a sharp rise in mucormycosis cases during the second wave of COVID-19 in India, with rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis being the most commonly reported form. Key risk factors include hyperglycemia, prolonged steroid use, immunosuppressive therapy, and COVID-19-induced immune dysregulation. Diagnosis remains challenging due to non-specific early symptoms and limited availability of rapid diagnostic tools. Management requires a multidisciplinary approach involving early diagnosis, prompt antifungal therapy, and surgical intervention when necessary. This review underscores the urgent need for heightened clinical awareness, preventive strategies, and robust healthcare infrastructure to mitigate the morbidity and mortality associated with CAM. Future research should focus on standardized treatment protocols, early diagnostic modalities, and strategies to manage high-risk populations during ongoing and future pandemics.
Keywords
COVID-19, Mucormycosis, Black Fungus, Opportunistic Infection, Diabetes Mellitus.
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© The Author(s) 2025. This article is published by International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (creativecommons.org), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
