Rampant Increase in Cases of Mucormycosis in India and Pakistan: A Serious Cause for Concern during the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic
Behram Khan Ghazi, Sudhan Rackimuthu, Um Ul Wara, Anmol Mohan, Uzzam Ahmed Khawaja, Shkaib Ahmad, Shahzaib Ahmad, Mohammad Mehedi Hasan, Ana Carla dos Santos Costa, Shoaib Ahmad, Mohammad Yasir Essar
Abstract
COVID-19 is a global health crisis that continues to pose new challenges all around the world. Amidst the growing pandemic, a spike in the number of mucormycosis cases in India and Pakistan has been reported in COVID-19 patients and in those who have recovered from COVID-19. This increase in cases may be related to the overuse of steroids and zinc, the use of industrial oxygen, unsterilized medical equipment, frequent intubation, a weakened immune system, and pre-existing comorbidities such as diabetes. As a result, it is critical to take steps to handle the current increase in mucormycosis cases. Therefore, this article aims to highlight the existence of mucormycosis amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in India and Pakistan, focusing on possible causes and implications, and suggests important plans of action to be taken during this pandemic.