Ten people, who have recovered from COVID-19 and got discharged from hospitals have to undergo surgeries for mucormycosis in the past few days at YCM hospital. Doctors said that the surgeries had saved eye vision in at least five patients. These patients were severely affected and were bought for early treatment.

Dr Yashwant Ingale, who is the head of the dental department, YCM hospital said that mucormycosis cases are now seenin patients affected by coronavirus. After their recovery, they reported fungus on upper jaw and sinus and mostly affects maxilla however mandibular cases were also reported.

The surgeries were performed by Dr Ingale and team along with Dr Aniket Lathi, the head of the ENT department. Other doctors from the team were Dr Aditya Yevlekar and Dr Kausubh Kahane.

Dr Ingale said that the exact cause of mucormycosis was not known, but maybe due to overuse of steroids and other drugs can cause the disease. High dose of steroids is assumed to be one of the causes of this fungal disease. He further said that these cases are common in diabetes patients post-COVID. The use of steroids in diabetic patients during COVID-19 treatment perhaps leads to the growth of the fungus. Even in high blood pressure patients, these cases are reported.

Signs and symptoms of the mucormycosis include constant low-grade fever, mobility in teeth, nasal discharge, periodontal abscess and sinusitis. Mucormycosis can affect maxillary alveolus and sinus, and eventually intracranial involvement is reported. If left untreated then can cause blindness, cerebral ischemia, cavernous sinus thrombosis, infarction and death.

Dr Lathi said that due to surgery, they were able to protect the vision in at least five patients. These patients were severely affected post-COVID in their eyes. The disease had spread rapidly in onlya 24-hour period. He said that the higher doses of antibiotics and steroids on diabetic patients during coronavirus treatment can lead to mucormycosis. It is a rare condition and does not affect every patient. But, mostly seen in diabetic patients and seeking early treatment is important.

Dr Ingale further said in such cases, during toothaches or extraction, dentists should be vigilant in diagnosing the cases of mucormycosis.

Source: The Indian Express