A comprehensive review of pathogenesis of mucormycosis with implications of COVID-19: Indian perspective

Abstract

Mucormycosis is a deadly fungal infection that targets immunocompromised individuals. India being the “diabetes” capital of the world contributes to about 40% of global burden of the infectious disease. With the addition of COVID-19 pandemic to the equation, there has been an alarming increase in the number of reported cases of mucormycosis. The disease itself along with corticosteroid and certain other strategies used in its treatment predispose the patients to develop secondary bacterial and fungal infections. Therefore, it is imperative for clinicians to understand the pathogenesis of mucormycosis at present so that they can develop combative counter strategies. We provide a comprehensive review of the pathogenetic process of mucormycosis while also elucidating implications of COVID-19 pandemic in the epidemiology and pathogenesis of the infectious malice in an Indian background.