85% of mucor patients also have diabetes

Gurgaon: Doctors in Gurgaon, which has the highest number of mucormycosis — also known as black fungus — cases in the state, observed that nearly 9 out of 10 these patients have diabetes.
Till May 30, Haryana had reported 821 black fungus cases, of which the city’s figure stood at 222. Officials concerned said the fungal infection is seen more in diabetic patients. As per the data, 85% of the black fungus patients (189) in Gurgaon have diabetes.
Interestingly, in several patients, doctors have found no history of steroid use or oxygen support for Covid treatment. According to health department data, 44 patients have never used medical oxygen before the onset of black fungus and 29 of them have never received steroid therapy. Notably, 95% of the patients are suffering from rhinocerebral mucormycosis.
As per the data, 12 patients are immune-compromised and 21 are comorbid. Out of the 222 patients, 165 are men and 57 women.
Analysing the age-wise data, it has come to notice that the highest number of patients (94) are in the 46-60 years age group. Meanwhile, 70 patients are above 61 years, 57 are between the ages of 19 and 45 years and one patient less than 18 years.
“We have also found that 212 black fungus patients are Covid positive while 10 of them show no symptoms of the virus,” said Dr Virender Yadav, chief medical officer, Gurgaon.
Dr Shashank Vashist, consultant ENT at Columbia Asia Hospital in Palam Vihar, said: “It is a fungal infection commonly seen in diabetes patients. It affects the middle part of the ear and nose. It attacks nearby bones and produces severe complications. We give steroids for a long time to patients suffering from Covid. Many of these patients are diabetic.”
According to doctors, in people over 50, there are associated lifestyle diseases.
With ageing, the immune system also weakens, which predisposes them to infections. Patients with uncontrolled sugar levels or latent diabetics are at risk of developing mucormycosis while undergoing Covid treatment.
Mucormycosis affects individuals with weak immune systems like those with uncontrolled diabetes, cancer patients, dialysis patients, transplant patients and patients with other chronic illnesses.
Also, individuals who take steroids and other immunomodulating drugs like tocilizumab are at risk of developing mucormycosis.
Dr Amitabh Malik, chief ENT at Paras Hospital, said: “When a diabetic patient has Covid, he is given a steroid that also weakens immunity and increases sugar levels. This is not a new form of Covid infection.”
Common symptoms associated with black fungus are headache, facial pain, nasal congestion, loss of vision or eye pain, swelling of the cheeks and eyes, and black crust in the nose.
It is treated surgically by removing all dead and infected tissues and patients have to undergo a course of antifungal therapy.
The doctors added that injudicious and prolonged use of steroids and the use of tocilizumab are some of the reasons for this disease. Using them at the correct time and for the right duration during Covid infection and early detection of this disease can save lives.