An Observation of Association Between Steriod Treated COVID-19 Patients and Mucormycosis

Authors

  • Abha Kumari Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
  • Sandeep Kumar Associate Professor, Department of E.N.T. , Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences , Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
  • Charumathi A Junior Resident (Academic), Department of E.N.T., Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences , Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

Keywords:

COVID-19-associated mucormycosis, Rhino- orbital- cerebral mucor-mycosis, Invasive fungal infection, systemic corticosteroid therapy.

Abstract

Background: Mucormycosis is a life-threatening angio-invasive fungal infection mostly observed in patients with uncontrolled Diabetes-mellitus and immune compromised patients. Mucormycosis progress rapidly and destructive in nature. The aim of our study is to analyse whether systemic steroid therapy is the contributing factor for COVID-19 associated Mucormycosis. Methods : We have 25 patients who were admitted to mucor-mycosis ward in Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi. Data regarding age, sex of the patient, history of COVID-19 infection, history of diabetes mellitus, duration of diabetes mellitus and history pertaining to systemic steroid therapy during COVID-19 infection (type and dose of steroid given, duration of treatment), blood sugar level and HbA1C of the patients were also included in the study. Result: All our 25 patients were COVID-19 infected. 23(92%) were Male and 2(8%) were female patient. The most common affected age group was between 41-50 years (12,44%). 14(56%), 9(36%) and 2(8%) patients were known case of type 2 diabetes mellitus, newly diagnosed case of DM, and non-diabetic respectively. Among the 23 diabetic, 17(74%) had poor glycaemic control. 21(84%) patients out 25 received systemic corticosteroid therapy as a part of standard treatment of COVID-19 infection. The common steroid used in our study group was Dexamethasone administered via the intravenous route with an average dose of 12.3 per day in 18(86%) patients. Methylprednisolone was prescribed for 4(20%) patients with dose of 0.5-1mg/kg/day per orally. For 6(29%), 11(52%) and 4(19%)patients, steroid was administrated for a duration of <10days, 10-19 days,>20 days respectively. Conclusion: The immune dysregulation and hyperglycaemic state due to the COVID-19 infection, diabetes mellitus and systemic steroid therapy caused the epidemic outbreak of mucor-mycosis cases. This dreadful situation can be overcome by administrating glucocorticoid at possible lowest dose for shortest duration on alternate days and by maintaining proper glycaemic control of COVID-19 infected patient on systemic steroid therapy.

Downloads

Published

2021-09-17

How to Cite

Abha Kumari, Sandeep Kumar, & Charumathi A. (2021). An Observation of Association Between Steriod Treated COVID-19 Patients and Mucormycosis. International Journal of Health and Clinical Research, 4(16), 143–146. Retrieved from https://ijhcr.com/index.php/ijhcr/article/view/2620

Most read articles by the same author(s)