The "Black Fungus" in India: The Emerging Syndemic of COVID-19-Associated Mucormycosis

Ann Intern Med. 2021 Sep;174(9):1301-1302. doi: 10.7326/M21-2354. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Abstract

A surge in cases of mucormycosis is occurring during India's catastrophic “second wave” of the COVID- 19 pandemic. Multiple actions are urgently needed to prevent and treat this life-threatening disease.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment
  • Comorbidity
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Diabetes Complications / immunology
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • India / epidemiology
  • Mucormycosis / drug therapy
  • Mucormycosis / epidemiology*
  • Mucormycosis / prevention & control
  • Prescription Drug Overuse
  • Risk Factors
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Syndemic*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Dexamethasone