학술논문
COVID-19-associated mucormycosis: A review of an emergent epidemic fungal infection in the era of COVID-19 pandemic.
Document Type
Article
Author
Chamola, Vinay; Mohammadi, Rasoul; Nair, Harish; Goyal, Adit; Patel, Aarya; Hassija, Vikas; Bassetti, Matteo; Narang, Pratik; Paredes, Roger; Santos, Jose R.; Hashemi, Seyed Jamal; Sani, Mahnaz Pejman; Shirani, Kiana; Alijani, Neda; Naeini, Bahareh Abtahi; Pourazizi, Mohsen; Abtahi, Seyed Hamidreza; Khorvash, Farzin; Khanjari, Mahdi; Ahmadikia, Kazem
Source
Subject
*COVID-19
*ZYGOMYCOSIS
*SYMPTOMS
*
*
Language
ISSN
1735-1995
Abstract
At a time when the COVID-19's second wave is still picking up in countries like India, a number of reports describe the potential association with a rise in the number of cases of mucormycosis, commonly known as the black fungus. This fungal infection has been around for centuries and affects those people whose immunity has been compromised due to severe health conditions. In this article, we provide a detailed overview of mucormycosis and discuss how COVID-19 could have caused a sudden spike in an otherwise rare disease in countries like India. The article discusses the various symptoms of the disease, class of people most vulnerable to this infection, preventive measures to avoid the disease, and various treatments that exist in clinical practice and research to manage the disease. Keywords: Black fungus, coronavirus, COVID-19, fungal infection, mucormycosis, pandemic Forough Rezvani, Mehrnoush Maheronnaghsh, Rasoul Mohammadi 1 Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran, 2 Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Background: Adhesion of Candida to host cell receptors, hemolysin production, and proteinase activity are assumed as principal virulence factors and infection establishment. These virulence factors are essential for colonization, biofilm formation, and attack on the host cells. Materials and Methods: A total of 97 Candida albicans isolates obtained from gastroesophageal lesions and urinary tract infections were included in the study. Adhesion assay, proteinase activity, and hemolysin production were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using the independent t-test and Chi-square test to compare quantitative and qualitative data between the two groups. Results: The adherence ability to the buccal epithelial cells was the same in the two groups. Proteinase activity was seen in all clinical isolates. Hemolytic activities were not statistically significant in the two groups. Conclusion: Our results recommend that the pathogenicity of C. albicans in the mucous membranes cannot be connected to the infected site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]