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. 2021 Aug 30;105(5):1144-1147.
doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0608.

Rampant Increase in Cases of Mucormycosis in India and Pakistan: A Serious Cause for Concern during the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic

Behram Khan Ghazi  1 , Sudhan Rackimuthu  2 , Um Ul Wara  3 , Anmol Mohan  3 , Uzzam Ahmed Khawaja  4 , Shkaib Ahmad  5 , Shahzaib Ahmad  6 , Mohammad Mehedi Hasan  7 , Ana Carla Dos Santos Costa  8 , Shoaib Ahmad  9 , Mohammad Yasir Essar  10
Affiliations

Rampant Increase in Cases of Mucormycosis in India and Pakistan: A Serious Cause for Concern during the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic

Behram Khan Ghazi et al. Am J Trop Med Hyg. .

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.

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