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Mukherjee T, Das T, Basak S, Mohanty S, Adhikary K, Chatterjee P, Maiti R, Karak P. Mucormycosis during COVID-19 era: A retrospective assessment. INFECTIOUS MEDICINE 2024; 3:100112. [PMID: 38948388 PMCID: PMC11214187 DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2024.100112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
In a retrospective view, this review examines the impact of mucormycosis on health workers and researchers during the COVID era. The diagnostic and treatment challenges arising from unestablished underlying pathology and limited case studies add strain to healthcare systems. Mucormycosis, caused by environmental molds, poses a significant threat to COVID-19 patients, particularly those with comorbidities and compromised immune systems. Due to a variety of infectious Mucorales causes and regionally related risk factors, the disease's incidence is rising globally. Data on mucormycosis remains scarce in many countries, highlighting the urgent need for more extensive research on its epidemiology and prevalence. This review explores the associations between COVID-19 disease and mucormycosis pathology, shedding light on potential future diagnostic techniques based on the fungal agent's biochemical components. Medications used in ICUs and for life support in ventilated patients have been reported, revealing the challenge of managing this dual onslaught. To develop more effective treatment strategies, it is crucial to identify novel pharmacological targets through "pragmatic" multicenter trials and registries. In the absence of positive mycology culture data, early clinical detection, prompt treatment, and tissue biopsy are essential to confirm the specific morphologic features of the fungal agent. This review delves into the history, pathogens, and pathogenesis of mucormycosis, its opportunistic nature in COVID or immunocompromised individuals, and the latest advancements in therapeutics. Additionally, it offers a forward-looking perspective on potential pharmacological targets for future drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuhin Mukherjee
- Department of Advanced Pharmacology, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi 835215, Jharkhand, India
| | - Tanisha Das
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (SPS), Siksha 'O' Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar 751003, Odisha, India
| | - Sourav Basak
- Department of Pharmacy, Guru Ghasidas Central University, Bilaspur 495009, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Satyajit Mohanty
- Department of Advanced Pharmacology, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi 835215, Jharkhand, India
| | - Krishnendu Adhikary
- Department of Interdisciplinary Science, Centurion University of Technology & Management, Odisha 761211, India
| | - Prity Chatterjee
- Department of Biotechnology, Paramedical College Durgapur, West Bengal 713212, India
| | - Rajkumar Maiti
- Department of Physiology, Bankura Christian College, Bankura, West Bengal 722101, India
| | - Prithviraj Karak
- Department of Physiology, Bankura Christian College, Bankura, West Bengal 722101, India
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Abstract
COVID-19 can cause detrimental effects on health. Vaccines have helped in reducing disease severity and transmission but their long-term effects on health and effectiveness against future viral variants remain unknown. COVID-19 pathogenesis involves alteration in iron homeostasis. Thus, a contextual understanding of iron-related parameters would be very valuable for disease prognosis and therapeutics.Accordingly, we reviewed the status of iron and iron-related proteins in COVID-19. Iron-associated alterations in COVID-19 reported hitherto include anemia of inflammation, low levels of serum iron (hypoferremia), transferrin and transferrin saturation, and high levels of serum ferritin (hyperferritinemia), hepcidin, lipocalin-2, catalytic iron, and soluble transferrin receptor (in ICU patients). Hemoglobin levels can be low or normal, and compromised hemoglobin function has been proposed. Membrane-bound transferrin receptor may facilitate viral entry, so it acts as a potential target for antiviral therapy. Lactoferrin can provide natural defense by preventing viral entry and/or inhibiting viral replication. Serum iron and ferritin levels can predict COVID-19-related hospitalization, severity, and mortality. Serum hepcidin and ferritin/transferrin ratio can predict COVID-19 severity. Here, serum levels of these iron-related parameters are provided, caveats of iron chelation for therapy are discussed and the interplay of these iron-related parameters in COVID-19 is explained.This synopsis is crucial as it clearly presents the iron picture of COVID-19. The information may assist in disease prognosis and/or in formulating iron-related adjunctive strategies that can help reduce infection/inflammation and better manage COVID-19 caused by future variants. Indeed, the current picture will augment as more is revealed about these iron-related parameters in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Suriawinata
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Kosha J Mehta
- Centre for Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.
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Ryu BU, Laylani NAR, Davila-Siliezar P, Lee AG. Rhino-orbital mucormycosis. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2022; 33:501-506. [PMID: 36066372 DOI: 10.1097/icu.0000000000000892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The current article will update and review the clinical and radiological manifestations and management of rhino-orbital mucormycosis (ROM). RECENT FINDINGS There has been an increase in cases of ROM worldwide, especially in India. Immunosuppression (especially diabetes mellitus) is a known predisposing risk factor for ROM. Delayed diagnosis and treatment of ROM can be vision or life-threatening. This article reviews the clinical and radiologic features, treatment, and prognosis of ROM with special emphasis on new and emerging therapies. SUMMARY ROM is an angioinvasive fungal infection that affects the sinuses and orbits and may present to ophthalmologists. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for ROM, especially in patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus or other immunosuppression. Corticosteroid treatment (including the recent COVID-19 pandemic) may be a predisposing risk factor for ROM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byoung U Ryu
- McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Pamela Davila-Siliezar
- Department of Ophthalmology, Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Andrew G Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Texas A and M College of Medicine, Bryan, Texas
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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García-Carnero LC, Mora-Montes HM. Mucormycosis and COVID-19-Associated Mucormycosis: Insights of a Deadly but Neglected Mycosis. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8050445. [PMID: 35628701 PMCID: PMC9144279 DOI: 10.3390/jof8050445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has quickly become a health threat worldwide, with high mortality and morbidity among patients with comorbidities. This viral infection promotes the perfect setting in patients for the development of opportunistic infections, such as those caused by fungi. Mucormycosis, a rare but deadly fungal infection, has recently increased its incidence, especially in endemic areas, since the onset of the pandemic. COVID-19-associated mucormycosis is an important complication of the pandemic because it is a mycosis hard to diagnose and treat, causing concern among COVID-19-infected patients and even in the already recovered population. The risk factors for the development of mucormycosis in these patients are related to the damage caused by the SARS-CoV-2 itself, the patient’s overstimulated immune response, and the therapy used to treat COVID-19, causing alterations such as hyperglycemia, acidosis, endothelial and lung damage, and immunosuppression. In this review, the molecular aspects of mucormycosis and the main risk factors for the development of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis are explained to understand this virus–fungi–host interaction and highlight the importance of this neglected mycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Héctor M. Mora-Montes
- Correspondence: (L.C.G.-C.); (H.M.M.-M.); Tel.: +52-473-7320006 (ext. 8193) (H.M.M.-M.)
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Azhar A, Khan WH, Khan PA, Al-hosaini K, Owais M, Ahmad A. Mucormycosis and COVID-19 pandemic: Clinical and diagnostic approach. J Infect Public Health 2022; 15:466-479. [PMID: 35216920 PMCID: PMC8855610 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2022.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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Garg RK, Malhotra HS, Pandey S. Neurological infections in 2021: a spotlight on India. Lancet Neurol 2021; 21:17-18. [PMID: 34942126 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(21)00415-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ravindra Kumar Garg
- Department of Neurology, King George Medical University, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow PIN-226003, India.
| | - Hardeep Singh Malhotra
- Department of Neurology, King George Medical University, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow PIN-226003, India
| | - Shweta Pandey
- Department of Neurology, King George Medical University, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow PIN-226003, India
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Aranjani JM, Manuel A, Abdul Razack HI, Mathew ST. COVID-19-associated mucormycosis: Evidence-based critical review of an emerging infection burden during the pandemic's second wave in India. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009921. [PMID: 34793455 PMCID: PMC8601521 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), during the second wave in early 2021, has caused devastating chaos in India. As daily infection rates rise alarmingly, the number of severe cases has increased dramatically. The country has encountered health infrastructure inadequacy and excessive demand for hospital beds, drugs, vaccines, and oxygen. Adding more burden to such a challenging situation, mucormycosis, an invasive fungal infection, has seen a sudden surge in patients with COVID-19. The rhino-orbital-cerebral form is the most common type observed. In particular, approximately three-fourths of them had diabetes as predisposing comorbidity and received corticosteroids to treat COVID-19. Possible mechanisms may involve immune and inflammatory processes. Diabetes, when coupled with COVID-19-induced systemic immune change, tends to cause decreased immunity and an increased risk of secondary infections. Since comprehensive data on this fatal opportunistic infection are evolving against the backdrop of a major pandemic, prevention strategies primarily involve managing comorbid conditions in high-risk groups. The recommended treatment strategies primarily included surgical debridement and antifungal therapy using Amphotericin B and selected azoles. Several India-centric clinical guidelines have emerged to rightly diagnose the infection, characterise the clinical presentation, understand the pathogenesis involved, and track the disease course. Code Mucor is the most comprehensive one, which proposes a simple but reliable staging system for the rhino-orbital-cerebral form. A staging system has recently been proposed, and a dedicated registry has been started. In this critical review, we extensively analyse recent evidence and guidance on COVID-19-associated mucormycosis in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesil Mathew Aranjani
- Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Atulya Manuel
- CCS National Institute of Animal Health, Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Habeeb Ibrahim Abdul Razack
- College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia,* E-mail:
| | - Sam T. Mathew
- Researcher & Medical Communications Expert, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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