Mycotic infections – mucormycosis and oral candidiasis associated with Covid-19: a significant and challenging association
Manjusha Nambiar, Sudhir Varma, Mohamed Jaber, S. V. Sreelatha, Biju Thomas, Arathi S Nair
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: ) is an oral commensal present in almost 40-65% of healthy oral cavities in adults. Several cases of mucormycosis and oral candidiasis have been reported lately in COVID-19 patients, and it may elevate the associated risks of morbidity and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Articles were taken from a period of 2020 to April 2021 using search sources such as Cochrane, PubMed, Fungiscope and Mycobank using keywords mucormycosis, Black fungus, oral candidiasis, white fungus, COVID-19, Sars-Cov-2. DISCUSSION: The development of oral mucocutaneous lesions, such as mucormycosis and candidiasis in COVID-19 patients could be due to inhaling spores resulting in pulmonary and/or sinus congestion and prolonged mechanical ventilation in the ICU settings and the long-term use of broad-spectrum antibiotics respectively. The onset of candidiasis after the emergence of COVID-19 clinical signs and symptoms varied considerably and is reported within 1-30 days in most of the cases reported in the literature. Biofilms present on the denture surfaces are predisposing factors to oral candidiasis. We aim to summarize the limited data available regarding diagnosis, clinical presentation, and therapeutic approaches for the management of Mucormycosis and oral candidiasis in COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSION: Careful monitoring of oral lesions should be instituted through interdisciplinary telemedicine and teleconsultation to aid in primary diagnosis, thereby avoiding personal attendance during the pandemic. Dental practitioners should be included among the interdisciplinary teams for exhaustive intraoral examination and reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality.